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The aftermath of the devastating coal ash spill at the TVA Kingston Fossil Plant near Kingston, Tenn., in 2008. More than 1 billion gallons of toxic coal ash sludge burst from a dam, sweeping away homes and contaminating two rivers. (Dot Griffith/ Appalachian Voice via United Mountain Defense)
feature May 23, 2023

Coal Ash Contaminates Our Lives

Coal ash is what is left behind when power plants burn coal for energy, It is a toxic mix of carcinogens, neurotoxins, and other hazardous pollutants.

feature May 17, 2023

Coal Ash in the United States: Addressing Coal Plants’ Hazardous Legacy

Earthjustice analyzed industry data to explain, state by state, how and where coal ash is disposed and which dump sites are not yet monitored or regulated.

Map of power plant sites across the United States that have currently regulated and / or legacy coal ash units. (Caroline Weinberg / Earthjustice)
feature May 17, 2023

Where are Coal Ash Dump Sites?

Use this map to understand where coal ash might be stored near you.

Coal ash pollution in the Arrowhead Landfill in Perry County, Alabama. (John Wathen)
Update May 17, 2023

EPA Closes Toxic Coal Ash Loophole – But Not Entirely

Public comment can push the agency to make sure no community remains unprotected from this toxic waste menace.

The now-closed Waukegan Generating Station, on the shore of Lake Michigan in Waukegan, Ill. The coal-fired power plant still has sizable coal ash ponds threatening the environment. (Jamie Kelter Davis for Earthjustice)
Press Release: Victory May 17, 2023

EPA Publishes Draft Rule to Expand Regulation of Toxic Coal Ash

Revisions to the rule address hundreds of legacy dumpsites previously excluded from safeguards

The aftermath of the devastating coal ash spill at the TVA Kingston Fossil Plant near Kingston, Tenn., in 2008. More than 1 billion gallons of toxic coal ash sludge burst from a dam, sweeping away homes and contaminating two rivers. (Dot Griffith/ Appalachian Voice via United Mountain Defense)
feature May 4, 2023

Tennessee Valley Authority’s Toxic Coal Ash: Addressing Coal Plants’ Hazardous Legacy

Coal ash is leaching unsafe levels of toxic pollutants into groundwater at 91% of coal plants. The quasi-public utility, Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), has a total of 56 coal ash dumpsites in Alabama, Kentucky, and Tennessee.

A five-story pile of coal ash lies next to the AES-PR power plant in the southern town of Guayama, Puerto Rico. (Mabette Colón)
feature May 4, 2023

Toxic Coal Ash in Puerto Rico: The Hazardous Legacy of the AES-PR Coal Plant

Applied Energy Services continues to contaminate the air, soil, and water in Puerto Rico with toxic coal ash.

The NIPSCO R.M. Schahfer Generating Station in Wheatfield, Indiana, in 2018. (Alex Garcia for Earthjustice)
feature May 4, 2023

Toxic Coal Ash Near the Great Lakes: Addressing Coal Plants’ Hazardous Legacy

Coal ash is leaching unsafe levels of toxic pollutants into groundwater at 91% of coal plants. There are 88 coal ash dumpsites within two miles of one of the Great Lakes.

The Naughton Power Plant in Kemmerer, Wyoming, in 2010. (Nancy Nehring / Getty Images)
feature May 4, 2023

Toxic Coal Ash in Wyoming: Addressing Coal Plants’ Hazardous Legacy

Coal ash is leaching unsafe levels of toxic pollutants into groundwater at 91% of coal plants. Wyoming has 26 coal ash dumpsites.

The Fort Martin coal-fired power station near Morgantown in West Virginia, in 2020. (Getty Images)
feature May 4, 2023

Toxic Coal Ash in West Virginia: Addressing Coal Plants’ Hazardous Legacy

Coal ash is leaching unsafe levels of toxic pollutants into groundwater at 91% of coal plants. West Virginia has 49 coal ash dumpsites.

The J. P. Pulliam Generating Station on Fox River in Green Bay, Wisconsin, in 2017. (James G Brey / Getty Images)
feature May 4, 2023

Toxic Coal Ash in Wisconsin: Addressing Coal Plants’ Hazardous Legacy

Coal ash is leaching unsafe levels of toxic pollutants into groundwater at 91% of coal plants. Wisconsin has 54 coal ash dumpsites.

Dominion Virginia Power's coal ash pond at Possum Point, Virginia. (Potomac Riverkeepers)
feature May 4, 2023

Toxic Coal Ash in Virginia: Addressing Coal Plants’ Hazardous Legacy

Coal ash is leaching unsafe levels of toxic pollutants into groundwater at 91% of coal plants. Virginia has 36 coal ash dumpsites.

The Hunter coal-fired power plant outside Castle Dale, Utah, in 2016. (George Frey / Getty Images)
feature May 4, 2023

Toxic Coal Ash in Utah: Addressing Coal Plants’ Hazardous Legacy

Coal ash is leaching unsafe levels of toxic pollutants into groundwater at 91% of coal plants. Utah has 14 coal ash dumpsites

A South Texas rancher looks out over his family’s land that has been contaminated by pollutants from the San Miguel Electric Plant, in the background. (Ari Phillips / EIP)
feature May 4, 2023

Toxic Coal Ash in Texas: Addressing Coal Plants’ Hazardous Legacy

Coal ash is leaching unsafe levels of toxic pollutants into groundwater at 91% of coal plants. Texas has 80 coal ash dumpsites.

The devastating aftermath of the coal ash spill at Kingston, TN, in 2008. One billion gallons of toxic coal ash spilled from the Tennessee Valley Authority's Kingston Fossil Plant, covering 300 acres, destroying homes, poisoning rivers, and contaminating coves and residential drinking waters. (TVA)
feature May 3, 2023

Toxic Coal Ash in Tennessee: Addressing Coal Plants’ Hazardous Legacy

Coal ash is leaching unsafe levels of toxic pollutants into groundwater at 91% of coal plants. Tennessee has 29 toxic coal ash dumpsites.

Former coal ash ponds at Grainger Generating Station, Conway, S.C. Coal ash contaminated the groundwater in the area with heavy metals and toxins. (Anthony Brown / Permission from Southern Environmental Law Center)
feature May 3, 2023

Toxic Coal Ash in South Carolina: Addressing Coal Plants’ Hazardous Legacy

Coal ash is leaching unsafe levels of toxic pollutants into groundwater at 91% of coal plants. South Carolina has 34 coal ash dumpsites.

FirstEnergy's Little Blue Run coal ash impoundment, built in 1975 and containing coal ash from the Bruce Mansfield Power Plant, is the largest unlined coal ash pond in the United States, spanning Pennsylvania and West Virginia. (Chris Jordan-Bloch / Earthjustice)
feature May 3, 2023

Toxic Coal Ash in Pennsylvania: Addressing Coal Plants’ Hazardous Legacy

Coal ash is leaching unsafe levels of toxic pollutants into groundwater at 91% of coal plants. Pennsylvania is one of the nation’s top coal ash-generating states, with more than 67 coal ash dumpsites.

The Gavin Power Plant in Cheshire, Ohio, looms over neighboring homes in 2002. (Stephanie Keith / Getty Images)
feature May 3, 2023

Toxic Coal Ash in Ohio: Addressing Coal Plants’ Hazardous Legacy

Coal ash is leaching unsafe levels of toxic pollutants into groundwater at 91% of coal plants. Ohio has more than 69 coal ash dumpsites.