Power Plants' Coal Ash Reports Show Toxics Leaking into Groundwater

"Utilities with ash ponds were required to complete water monitoring this year. Of the first 14 to file reports, 9 had 'significant increases' of toxic substances. "

"Toxic substances including arsenic may be leaking from unlined pits and contaminating groundwater at hundreds of coal ash storage facilities nationwide, according to an analysis by the environmental law organization Earthjustice.

The analysis, an initial review of recently released data from 14 power plants in eight states, comes as the Environmental Protection Agency is weighing whether to revise recently enacted groundwater monitoring rules at coal ash storage facilities.

Nine of the 14 power plants noted "statistically significant increases" of toxic substances in groundwater near coal ash containment ponds, Earthjustice found."

Phil McKenna reports for InsideClimate News February 7, 2018.