Mike Thinks: Climate Change Continues To Threaten Coal Ash Flooding

Capitalism is useful to a certain extent. Investors enjoy good returns. American citizens enjoy great consumer products. Sounds great right? Life is seemingly good. Except, where the greed of the corporate world outweighs the potential health concern of the American citizen. When the danger is placed on the American citizen at the benefit of the investor's 'bottom line' (earnings), there is a problem that needs to be addressed. Addressed by regulatory bodies that report to Congress on an annual basis.

How often is that regulatory oversight enforced to ensure that the American citizen is without harm?

Last month, Politico unveiled a potential problem which could negatively impact the waterways of America's rivers (and creeks). Reporting by Politico has shown the increasing threat of coal ash sites across America:

CLIMATE CHANGE HEIGHTENS TOXIC WASTE THREAT: More than 100 sites storing toxic ash created from burning coal are located in areas at high risk of flooding, a situation that will grow more dire as climate change supercharges rain, floods and storms, according to a POLITICO analysis by your ME host. At issue are coal ash ponds and landfills within the FEMA’s Special Flood Hazard Area, known as the 100-year floodplain. The sites in this area face greater exposure to storms and floods that can spill waste into adjacent waterways and contaminate groundwater.

Most sites are already polluting groundwater, but the Trump administration is trying to weaken federal rules issued in 2015 designed to prevent contamination. Those efforts, combined with concern about slow cleanups, lax enforcement of existing standards and increasing risk from climate change, worry environmentalists and scientists. “That should be part of the equation, whether or not it’s safe to leave them here or whether that ash should be moved and landfilled somewhere far from bodies of water,” said Ellen Cowan, a scientist at Appalachian State University who has studied coal ash spills across the country.

Industry, however, contends utilities can safely close coal ash sites and prevent pollution, even if the ponds and landfills are in high risk flood zones. "The question of how to close really is a site-specific decision and you need to take a look at the site characteristics, where the groundwater is, where surface waters are," said Jim Roewer, executive director of the Utility Solid Waste Activities Group, a coalition of electric utilities.

The map showing the locations across the United States is shown below:

The infographic above shows just over 100 sites with potential coal ash ponds which could be a potential danger given a terrible storm. Storms that are potentially weaker than recent Hurricanes which causes significant concern. When will the public wake up to the reality? There is a side of the corporate world which does not have our (the public) interest at stake?

Therefore, the regulatory agencies are the last hope of mitigating such a threat. For that to occur, a discussion along with solutions regarding the real risks posed by climate change needs to happen.

Contact your local politician and express concern. Ask about potentially dangerous sites such as those shown above in your area. Are you aware of any? Does your local government know of any? Ask friends? Someone has knowledge of potential dangers within a given space. Get educated and demand action.

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