WASHINGTON, DC, MARCH 13, 2019 -- More than 90% of coal plants that monitor groundwater pollution across the United States are leaking toxic coal ash, according to a new national report based on industry disclosures.
The report, by Environmental Integrity Project (EIP) and Earthjustice, showed that of 265 coal plants that report groundwater tests, 243 disclosed unsafe levels of at least one coal ash pollutant, including arsenic, lithium and other contaminants.
The data represents about three-quarters of U.S. coal plants, and comes from utility filings mandated by federal coal ash rules. The remaining plants were either exempt from reporting groundwater tests or were eligible for reporting extensions.
Researchers analyzed data from more than 4,600 groundwater monitoring wells around U.S. coal plants and ash disposal facilities.
"The majority of coal plants have unsafe levels of at least four toxic constituents of coal ash," the report said.
To read the report, visit http://www.environmentalintegrity.org/news/first-comprehensive-national-study-of-coal-ash-pollution-finds-widespread-groundwater-contamination.
