I. The Development of Cleanup Plans at Hundreds of Coal Plants Brings a Historic Opportunity to Protect Communities

Is My Community Contaminated By Coal Ash?

Why Your Involvement Is Critical

II. Understanding Coal Ash Contaminated Sites: A Primer

How Does Coal Ash Contaminate Our Groundwater?

How Can Polluters Thoroughly Clean Up Coal Ash Contamination?

i. How do you clean up a leaking coal ash dump when it is in contact with groundwater?

Cleanup Example No. 1: Ash Removal from South Carolina Pits – A Success Story

ii. How do you clean up a leaking coal ash dump that is located above the groundwater?

Cleanup Example No. 2: Cleanup by Capping Ash in Place: Chisman Creek Superfund Site

iii. What precautions must be taken if coal ash is excavated, transported and disposed off-site?

iv. How is contaminated groundwater cleaned up?

v. What if contaminated water threatens drinking water?

Cleanup Example No. 3: Provision of Water to Residents after Groundwater Contamination at Duke Energy’s Allen Steam Station

Will there always be a cleanup plan, or can facility owners avoid cleanup even after groundwater contamination is found?

III. My Community Has A Contaminated Coal Ash Site. What Happens Next?

Your Six Essential Demands: Fighting For A Protective Coal Ash Cleanup

1. Comprehensive Investigation.

2. Testing of Drinking Water Wells and Surface Water.

3. Control or Removal of the Toxic Source and Removal of as much of the Contaminated Material Released as Feasible.

4. Completion of the Cleanup As Quickly As Possible.

5. A Meaningful Role for the Public.

6. Protection for All.

Cleanup Example No. 4: A victory for communities in Northwest Indiana

Step-by-Step Roadmap For Community Action

Step 1: Does Your Community Need a Coal Ash Cleanup?

Step 2: Finding the Polluter’s Cleanup Plan

What must the cleanup plan contain?

What are the deadlines for preparation of the cleanup plan?

Where can I find the cleanup plan?

How can I influence the cleanup plan?

The law requires the polluter to consider community concerns!

Step 3: Preparing for the Public Meeting — What Do I Need to Know?

Information on the health and environmental impacts of coal ash chemicals

Investigation of the safety of your drinking water

Investigation of the health of your local lakes/streams/rivers

The cost of coal ash pollution and cleanup

Talking points for the public meeting

Step 4: How Do I Organize an Effective Public Meeting?

Control the time and location

Set the format of the public meeting

Pack the room

Invite local, state, and federal decision makers and community leaders to the meeting

Invite federal and state environmental agency personnel

Invite experts: scientists, teachers, health professionals, lawyers, union leaders

Step 5: How do I Evaluate the Cleanup Plan and Obtain Technical Assistance?

Does the cleanup plan propose “do nothing” options?

Consider demanding “interim measures” required by the Coal Ash Rule

Obtaining additional technical assistance

Can U.S. EPA help my community?

Can the polluter provide technical assistance?

Helpful resources for understanding cleanup options

Step 6: How do I Track the Progress of the Coal Ash Cleanup?

Demand information on the ongoing cleanup process

Timing: Is the polluter complying with the Coal Ash Rule?

Interim measures required by the Coal Ash Rule

Using the press, social media, and letters-to-the-editor to raise awareness and generate public pressure for a full cleanup

Press Outreach

Social Media

Creating Petitions For Cleanup

Letters to the Editor

Ask for a second, third, fourth public meeting

Alert authorities to delays or malfeasance

IV. Conclusion

Appendix I: Sample Letters

Letter 1: Request to Utility for Alternative Source Demonstration

Letter 2: Request to Utility for Drinking Water Testing

Letter 3: Request to Regulatory Agencies to Test Drinking Water

Letter 4: Request to Utility for River or Stream Sampling

Letter 5: Request to Utility for Lake Sampling

Letter 6: Request to Regulators for River or Stream Sampling

Letter 7: Request to Regulators for Lake Sampling

Letter 8: Request to Utility for Public Meeting and Additional Site Information

Letter 9: Request to Utility for Virtual Public Meeting and Additional Information

Letter 10: Invitation to Public Meeting re Cleanup Plan

Letter 11: Request to Utility for Technical Assistance Grant

Letter 12: Request to Utility Regarding Format of Public Meeting

Letter 13: Request to Utility Raising Concerns About Proposed Public Meeting Format

Appendix II: Coal Ash Cleanup Status Form

Appendix III: Sample Critique of Fugitive Dust Control Plan

Appendix IV: Sample Critique of Final Remedy Selection (AES-PR)