coal ash – Better Georgia

Clean Water

One year later: Coal Ash disposal still a concern for environmental activists

A year and a half ago, Georgia Power announced they would close ALL of their toxic coal ash ponds in Georgia. But environmentalist continue to be concerned about the lack of regulation and transparency with the process. Coal ash, also called coal combustion residuals or CCR, is the waste byproduct from coal-fired power plants. It is a powdery residue that contains heavy metals like arsenic, cadmium and mercury that can leach into the local environment.

February 4, 2018 6:27 pm

Environment

Georgia Power violating Clean Water Act, according to Sierra Club

While the U.S. Senate works to destroy Obamacare, another health concern is brewing in Georgia. The Sierra Club plans to sue Georgia Power over the company’s process for closing coal ash ponds, potentially draining toxic coal ash into local waterways. The environmental watchdog group claims this is a violation of the Clean Water Act. Coal ash or coal combustion residuals (CCRs) are the toxic byproduct of burning coal at coal-powered power plants. The substance contains

July 26, 2017 7:08 pm

2017 Legislative Session

Coal ash regulations stall while Georgians and environment suffer

While dangerous bills like ‘Campus Carry,’ School Takeover 2.0 and the campus rape cover-up bill are still moving forward, two promising coal ash regulations bills failed to survive a key legislative deadline. Coal ash, the nasty waste product of coal-fired power plants, contains heavy metals that can leach into the environment, contaminating wildlife and getting into the water system. The disposal of coal ash, also called coal combustion residuals or CCRs, has caused quite a

March 9, 2017 11:14 am

2017 Legislative Session

New coal ash regulations on the way?

Coal-fired power plants produce an dangerous waste product: coal ash. Two Georgia legislators are poised to introduce bills to limit how this waste product — often full of heavy metals and other contaminants — can be disposed of. Coal ash is ugly stuff. Right now, Duke Energy is trying to settle a lawsuit with residents in North Carolina who are concerned their well water will be contaminated by nearby unlined coal ash pits. In Tennessee, a

February 8, 2017 8:18 am

Environment

Coal ash continues to stir up trouble in Georgia

Coal ash — the toxic, leftover material from coal fired power plants — is just starting to cause regulations to shape up in Georgia, as power plants struggle with how to dispose of it, Georgia’s Environmental Protection Division figures out how to regulate it and communities resist coal ash contamination in their backyard. Residents across the state, including former President Jimmy Carter, are speaking out against coal ash being stored in regular landfills designed to hold household

August 12, 2016 7:11 am

Climate

Georgia Needs Clean Energy Now

Unlike football, energy is not something most people tend to think about a whole lot. It is not something you can get at the grocery store or buy on Amazon.com; it is not something you can watch on YouTube or eat. It is, however, everywhere, and connected to everything. Energy matters because it impacts our environment, our communities, our health, our economy and our wallets. Residential expenditures on energy in Georgia are the 10th highest

June 18, 2016 12:25 pm