W hen coal combustion residuals (CCR), such as coal ash, fly ash, bottom ash, gypsum and other solids produced by coal-fired power plants are improperly stored, they can contaminate surrounding soil and ground and surface water, causing a host of environmental problems. Covering legacy CCR stored in ponds, known as “cap in place,” is [...]
I t is easy to get frustrated with “pendulum swinging” CCR Regulations because we have seen this playbook before … with very limited results. The EPA announced it’s prioritizing a number of timely actions on coal ash, including state permit program reviews and updates to the coal ash regulations. The Agency plans to work [...]
A coalition of U.S. power companies is demanding “immediate action” from the Trump administration to roll back federal regulation of coal ash and rescind recent enforcement actions. Further examination of the “U.S. power companies request” reveals some telling truths. There are good arguments from both sides, but the fact remains that there is not one [...]
U nwrap the TOOLS to leapfrog past the evolving CCR regulations and provide all stakeholders, especially the Utilities, with three key strategies that can drive success. Apply Pull–Through Method of Regulatory Approval Adhere to the KISS Principle of Strategy Prepare Yourself with the Right Tools “You cannot solve this non-traditional coal ash basin closure [...]
H ere we go again! As a result of the 2024 election, the environmental regulations pendulum will swing from the far left to the far right; at least it seems. Through regulations, which some have considered excessive, transforming our energy system away from fossil fuels has been the main driver over the Obama/Biden years with [...]
The new coal ash rules were announced in tandem with three other regulations designed to reduce pollution from power plants. While it could take years to see how the other three rules will ultimately play out and how utilities will respond, the coal ash cleanup in this country has shifted into a higher gear. EnCAP-IT [...]
R egulatory certainty is here, at least for Legacy CCR Surface Impoundments or CCR Management Units. The EPA has defined “Legacy CCR Surface Impoundment”, the term “liquids”, the distinction “contains both CCR and liquids” and a “CCR Management Unit” to close loopholes and confusion, providing regulatory certainty. NOW is the time for facility owners to [...]
O ver the past several years, increased pressure from communities, environmental groups, politicians, and regulators has changed the environmental service game. In most cases, it is no longer good enough to deal with environmental challenges by applying traditional approaches – Forcing project owners to look for alternatives, like more collaborative approaches. Albert Einstein is widely [...]
T he energy industry is steadily evolving beyond fossil fuels and shifting to more renewable and sustainable sources. This is fantastic news for the planet, but before this transformation can be complete, we must address the fossil fuel legacy of nearly 2 billion tons of coal ash stored in inefficient and environmentally perilous ways [...]
I n all discussions of coal ash disposition — either through beneficial reuse or keeping it intact but contained — the overriding concern is safety. The cap-in-place solution has been solidly debunked from a safety standpoint. The market for beneficiation of coal ash in building products still lags far behind the over-abundance of legacy CCR. [...]
