Coal Ash Hearing
There’s leaking Coal Ash Ponds here in AL; here’s what you need to know and what you can do about it:
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is holding a virtual public hearing on Alabama Power’s coal ash program, and we need you there to show your support for our beautiful rivers and lakes and holding Alabama Power accountable for their unlined leaking coal ash ponds.
A coal ash pond is a mix of carcinogens, neurotoxins, and other hazardous pollutants all of which can be very dangerous to our environment and our people. Coal ash ponds cause polluted waterways, respiratory illness, and often kill or cause deformities in surrounding wildlife such as our very diverse aquatic environment here in Alabama. The unlined coal ash pond in Gadsden, AL is upstream from the city’s drinking water intake, contaminating the water that is consumed by citizens of Gadsden city limits daily.
The EPA has proposed denying Alabama Power’s unsafe coal ash program, opening the door for public comments and your chance to make a difference. This is a landmark moment – the first proposed denial of a state coal ash permit program. It’s our chance to stand up for our waterways, our health, and our communities.
The September 20th in-person hearing in Montgomery was a great success, but we still need your help!
Here’s How You Can Help:
Join the virtual public hearing on September 27th.
- Send written comments to the EPA supporting this proposed denial.
VICTORY ON CHANDLER MOUNTAIN
We recently had a significant victory for the people of Chandler Mountain, for the Big Canoe Creek watershed, and for all the living things that call this special area home, including the Canoe Creek clubshell and trispot darter, both of which are federally protected under the Endangered Species Act. Alabama Power has officially abandoned its land and water grab: the proposed pumped storage project that would drastically change the character of Chandler Mountain and threaten the possibility of landowners being displaced from their homes in the nearby communities of Steele, Gallant, Rainbow City and more.
Dedicated community members worked together for months holding meetings and comment writing workshops to organize against this ill-conceived plan. Groups like Alabama Rivers Alliance, Coosa Riverkeeper, Energy Alabama, The Friends of Big Canoe Creek, the Center for Biological Diversity and Southern Environmental Law Center collaborated to support the community, and we are grateful for their tireless efforts to stop this project. By standing together and speaking up for the irreplaceable treasures of Chandler Mountain, we have proven that community members and conservation groups working together can triumph over corporate interests.
“We are thrilled that this vital part of the Coosa River watershed and the folks that love the area will be spared from this project. We are honored to be a part of a coalition that works to protect both the Coosa and Alabamians. The Coosa River has been a sacrifice zone for far too long, so we will continue to stand up for what is right for our waterways and our people.”
– Justinn Overton, Executive Director & Staff Riverkeeper
Legal and Advocacy Update
Gadsden Water & Sewer Board Lawsuits: Coosa Riverkeeper continues to address ongoing issues with sanitary sewer overflows through state and federal Clean Water Act lawsuits. Our staff continues to map self-reported issues, sanitary sewer overflows, and conduct random compliance checks on the facilities. Our partners and attorneys continue to press Gadsden for more transparency and best practices in each case. It is vital to understand the issues that the system faces with inflow and infiltration so the responsible party can make an informed decision on when and where to apply their resources.
