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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 April 25, 2024

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.

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.

feature November 3, 2022

Mapping the Coal Ash Contamination

746 coal ash units in 43 states and Puerto Rico have reported information in compliance with federal coal ash safeguards since 2015. Here’s what the data said.

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

feature November 3, 2012

Coal Ash: Reports & Publications

Read reports and analysis from Earthjustice and our partners, which document the growing public health threat from coal ash, the hazardous waste that remains after coal is burned.

Press Release September 18, 2007

New Study Reports Pennsylvania Groundwater Contamination from Coal Ash

Ash from power plants used to fill mines is poisoning water throughout PA; Local group petitions EPA for assistance

An aerial view of smog in Los Angeles, Calif.
(Robert S. Donovan / CC BY-NC 2.0)
From the Experts April 13, 2020

Air Pollution Makes COVID-19 More Deadly

Staff Scientist Rashmi Joglekar explains how a new Harvard study adds to a growing pile of evidence that we must enforce stricter regulations on toxic emissions to save lives.

Press Release August 26, 2010

New Study Shows Coal Ash Water Contamination Much Worse Than Previous Estimates

39 additional sites where coal ash is contaminating water are discovered, a total of 70 sites since February far exceed previous EPA estimates

Press Release September 27, 2012

Community Groups in Texas, California, and Louisiana Sue the EPA to Clean Up Toxic Air from Refineries

Refineries emit cancer-causing pollution including benzene

Article February 23, 2011

Tr-Ash Talk: House Broken

Early Saturday morning, the U.S. House of Representatives approved an amendment to the House budget bill that had nothing to do with trimming the federal deficit, but everything to do with sweetening the bottom line of the likes of Duke Energy, AEP, Ameren and Southern Company. The House passed this amendment at about two in…

Article May 17, 2012

Tr-Ash Talk: Living With Lies and Coal Ash

It’s inspiring to see the commitment of Rep McKinley’s constituents living in the shadow of First Energy’s behemoth 1000-acre Little Blue Run waste dump continuing to speak the truth amid the lies flaunted by corporate interests. Steve and Annette Rhodes, life-long residents of West Virginia, describe the stark and unfortunate reality of living near a toxic coal ash dump and debunk the many falsehoods spouted by Rep. McKinley in their recent piece in The Hill, Rep McKinley We Live Here with the Coal Ash.