Monday, June 29, 2009
environment / North Carolina EPA rates 12 N.C. coal residue impoundments with a "high hazard potential"
Posted by Lisa Sorg @lisasorg on Mon, Jun 29, 2009 at 4:49 PM
North Carolina is home to ore than a quarter of the nation's coal combustion residue (CCR) impoundments that carry a "high hazard potential rating," meaning that if the impoundment failed, it would probably cause loss of human life. This is according to an Environmental Protection Agency report released today, which designated 12 North Carolina coal residue impoundments with the rating. Ten are operated by Duke Energy; two are operated by Progress Energy. The EPA identified 44 such impoundments nationwide.
According to the EPA, the rating is not an indication of the structural integrity of the unit or the possibility that a failure will occur in the future; it allows dam safety and other officials to determine where significant damage or loss of life may occur if there is a structural failure.
There are three CCR impoundments in Spencer, which is near Salisbury. The following towns have two: Arden, south of Asheville; Eden, north of Greensboro near the Virginia-N.C. line; and Mt. Holly, just northwest of Charlotte. Belmont, which is south of Mt. Holly, Walnut Cove, north of Kernersville, and Terrell, which is near Lake Norman north of Charlotte, have one each.
Here's more from the EPA announcement:
The EPA made its determination using the criteria developed by the National Dam Safety Program for the National Inventory of Dams. Hazard potential ratings are generally assigned by the State Dam Safety officials.
These impoundments contain fly ash, bottom ash, coal slag and flue gas desulfurization residue. CCRs contain a broad range of metals, for example, arsenic, selenium, cadmium, lead, and mercury, but the concentrations of these are generally low. However, if not properly managed, (for example, in lined units), CCRs may cause a risk to human health and the environment and, in fact, EPA has documented cases of environmental damage.
EPA’s assessment of the 26 facilities that have units with high hazard potential ratings continues to be an Agency priority. EPA has conducted on-site assessments, which are undergoing Agency review, at 11 of these facilities. The remaining 15 of these facilities have had state inspections within the past 12 months and EPA will be reviewing the reports from those inspections. EPA plans to make public the results of our assessments as soon as they are completed.
Comments (1)
Showing 1-1 of 1
- To create paragraphs in your comment, type <p> at the start of a paragraph and </p> at the end of each paragraph.
- To create bold text, type <b>bolded text</b> (please note the closing tag, </b>).
- To create italicized text, type <i>italicized text</i> (please note the closing tag, </i>).
- Proper web addresses will automatically become links.
Latest in Triangulator
-
Indeed, Cardinal Innovations receives federal funding
The news confirms the agency is subject to a federal investigation into discrimination against the undocumented community.
- May 15, 2013
-
One N.C. county says "no" to fracking
Anson County joins the town of Creedmoor in passing an anti-fracking ordinance.
- May 9, 2013
-
Hofmann Forest sale sparks protest
Protestors brought the battle to keep Hofmann Forest to Chancellor Randy Woodson's doorstep Monday morning.
- May 6, 2013
- More »
More by Lisa Sorg
-
This week in disappointment: guns, housing and energy
House Bills 405, 716, 773 and 298: concealed carry for judges; sex-selective abortions; earning the real estate money; keeping power dirty
- May 1, 2013
-
Strike down the discriminatory driver's licenses
In issuing these pink driver's licenses, emblazoned with the words "no lawful status" (which isn't true), Republicans want to elicit fear from as well as punish North Carolina's undocumented immigrants.
- Mar 6, 2013
- More »
