ASH
EnviroSolutions Ash Companies:
EnviroSolutions’ Big Run and Copper Ridge landfills are well positioned to accept coal ash from a large geographical area due to their on-site rail infrastructure, proximity to coal ash generators and capacity to accept large volumes. The available capacity for coal ash could be increased significantly if the coal ash can be “recycled” after receipt at the landfill by using it in beneficial reuse projects that will not impact or utilize permitted airspace or monthly tonnage limits. In West Virginia, ESI has worked with local and state government officials to identify up to 70 million cubic yards of disposal space that could be developed with minimal incremental capital for beneficial reuse/disposal of coal ash. The potential for beneficial reuse projects at Big Run is also a distinct possibility.
EnviroSolutions’ landfills offer the following:
- Extensive On-Site Rail Infrastructure
- Located in "Coal Country" in close proximity to many power plants
- Ability to offer dedicated long-term ash monofill
- Governmental/Political Support (Statewide & Local) for coal ash
- Beneficial Reuse Opportunities (Pending new regulations)
- Environmental Stewardship
Background
In excess of 130 million tons of coal combustion waste (coal ash) is produced in the United States each year by coal-fired power plants, most of which is disposed of in largely unregulated on-site landfills and slurry (containment) ponds. Approximately 95% of coal ash is generated by utilities, but paper mills, grain processors and other companies that also use coal for energy.
Pending Regulations
Following a number of incidents where coal ash slurry was inadvertently discharged, including a high profile Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) coal ash spill in December 2008, momentum has been gathering for greater regulation of coal ash disposal. The TVA spill released an estimated 5.4 million tons of coal ash into the surrounding community.
In March 2009, the EPA launched a study of the existing coal ash containment ponds, and has since indicated there are 584 coal ash ponds operating in 35 states, with 44 of the locations assigned a high hazard potential rating. This has lead environmentalists to argue that these ponds, which power plants use to dispose of spent coal ash, are more widespread and less safe than previously thought and should be regulated under strict hazardous waste management rules. EPA has said it intends to issue a rulemaking on coal ash disposal by the end of the calendar year, though it has not indicated whether it will regulate the ash as a hazardous or solid waste. The EPA Office of Enforcement & Compliance Assurance (OECA) is said to be considering a new national enforcement priority against surface impoundments, including coal ash disposal sites for fiscal years 2011-13. This will likely take effect only after EPA issues its pending first-time Resource Conservation & Recovery Act (RCRA) rules for coal waste disposal. Industry observers believe the EPA will most likely regulate ash under RCRA Subtitle D, similar to MSW, requiring disposal in lined, groundwater monitored, closure/post-closure facilities, and eliminate wet ash slurry (containment) ponds as an allowed disposal method for coal ash.
|
