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Friday, January 09, 2009

Environment - "Coal ash risks loom in Indiana"

Following on a lengthy list of ILB entries on power plant coal ash, the Indianapolis Star has now posted a long AP story by Dina Cappiello, under the headline "Coal ash risks loom in Indiana," that includes a valuable AP analysis. Some quotes:

WASHINGTON -- Millions of tons of toxic coal ash is piling up in power plant ponds in Indiana and 31 other states, a practice the federal government has long recognized as a risk to human health and the environment but has left unregulated.

An Associated Press analysis of the most recent Energy Department data found that 156 coal-fired power plants store ash in surface ponds similar to the one that collapsed last month in Tennessee.

Records indicate that states storing the most coal ash in ponds are Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Georgia and Alabama.

Indiana ranks at the top with 13 power plants storing 2,270,950 tons of coal ash in ponds. * * *

The AP's analysis found that in 2005, the most recent year data is available, 721 power plants generating at least 100 megawatts of electricity produced 95.8 million tons of coal ash. About 20 percent -- or nearly 20 million tons -- ended up in surface ponds. The remainder ends up in landfills, or is sold for use in concrete, among other uses.

Here is the chart, titled Coal ash in Indiana, that accompanies the story on the Star site.
Indiana power plants with coal ash ponds and the amount in tons stored, according to an Associated Press analysis of Energy Department data from 2005, the latest year statistics were available.

Alcoa Power Generating Inc. — Warrick County — 241,900 tons

Hoosier Energy R E C Inc. — Pike County — 39,800 tons

Indiana-Kentucky Electric Corp. — Jefferson County — 21,700 tons

Indianapolis Power & Light Co. — Marion County — 175,900 tons

Indiana Michigan Power Co. — Dearborn County — 140,600 tons

Indiana Michigan Power Co. — Spencer County — 11,800 tons

PSI Energy Inc. — Vermillion County — 210,900 tons

PSI Energy Inc. — Knox County — 11,500 tons

PSI Energy Inc. — Floyd County [Gallagher Station] — 125,600 tons

PSI Energy Inc. — Vigo County — 192,100 tons

PSI Energy Inc. — Gibson County [Gibson Station] — 897,800 tons

Southern Indiana Gas & Electric Co. — Warrick County — 35,600 tons

Southern Indiana Gas & Electric Co. — Posey County — 165,750 tons

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ILB - In reviewing the chart, recall this quote from a LCJ story Jan. 7th: "A 2007 EPA national study of coal combustion wastes identified at least eight coal ash impoundments in Indiana, including one at Duke Energy’s Gallagher plant in New Albany, Ind. Indiana Department of Environmental Management spokesman Rob Elstro(cq) could not confirm that number because he said his agency does not maintain a comprehensive list." Also here.

Posted by Marcia Oddi on January 9, 2009 09:29 AM
Posted to Environment