A study has found 91% of US coal-fired power plants have contaminated local groundwater. The Environmental Integrity Project used industry coal ash data, made available 2015 due to regulations introduced in last year, which revealed 52% of 265 coal plants had unsafe levels of arsenic in nearby groundwater, while 60% had unsafe levels of lithium. Fewer than 5% of coal ash waste ponds had adequate, leak-proof liners, while 59% were built either under the water table or within five feet of one. The study urged the Environmental Protection Agency to implement better regulation and step up monitoring.
A study has found 91% of US coal-fired power plants have contaminated local groundwater. The Environmental Integrity Project used industry coal ash data, made available last year due to regulations introduced in 2015, which revealed 52% of 265 coal plants had unsafe levels of arsenic in nearby groundwater, while 60% had unsafe levels of lithium. Fewer than 5% of coal ash waste ponds had adequate, leak-proof liners, while 59% were built either under the water table or within five feet of one. The study urged the Environmental Protection Agency to implement better regulation and step up monitoring.