Posts Tagged ‘coal ash disposal’

Toxic Coal Ash – 20 New Dump Sites Just Found!

Posted on January 13th, 2012 in Industry Watchdog by Bob Vitale

The Environmental Integrity Project (EIP) has found Arsenic and Other Dangerous Pollutants contaminating groundwater and soil at 20 new coal ash dump sites. Since 2010 the EIP has identified 90 such sites. You read that right 90! (read article linked below)

There are solutions to mitigate arsenic and other pollutants. At Midwest we have been dealing with Coal Ash for more than 30 years. Here are some of the things we have learned:

  • Geotechnical engineering is an essential part of coal ash storage facility design
  • Parameters used for coal ash strength and stability can vary from site to site
  • Industry resources are available and can make important contributions to develop solutions (Midwest and other companies have products and services specifically designed to assist with Coal Ash)

Midwest is kicking off a new campaign in 2012 themed “Regulation by Education.” Our goal is for companies and organizations to better understand the implications of the dust control products and services they are using to solve both what seems to be simple and complex challenges. The issues many organizations are having with Coal Ash is an example of how they can self-regulate and prevent dangerous arsenic and pollutants from contaminating the environment.

Read the article here.

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EPA Proposes regulations for Coal Ash disposal

Posted on August 12th, 2010 in Dust Control, Environmental by Bob Vitale

Coal ash being regulated is seemingly a given; not a bad idea since it effect each of us and our children and grandchildren!
 
The proposal calls for two alternative regulations aimed at reducing environmental and health risks associated with the disposal of coal ash in surface impoundments and landfills. The compliance costs associated with the two proposals range from $1.4 billion down to $236 million. When you think about the December 2009 Tennessee incident noted in the article that cost over $1 billion to clean-up, can cost really be an issue here?

We all know the consumer, you and me, we’re going to pay for this in some form or another. To be able to pay for all that we are being asked, I just ask for a free market and not a government directed and controlled market. Read EPA entire article.

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How to Be the Steward of Your Ash Pond

Posted on November 25th, 2009 in Uncategorized by Bob Vitale

There certainly is a lot of attention being devoted to coal ash ponds in the media today from the 60 Minutes broadcast to all the recent print coverage. The media of course uncovers a few bad eggs, but we know that the industry itself has been dealing with ash pond management for decades. At Midwest, we have helped utility customers be stewards of their ash ponds for over 30 years. In our company lore and history, everyone at Midwest recalls the phone call we received from a customer on Super Bowl Sunday, January 31, 1993. The Dallas Cowboys played the Buffalo Bills (Dallas won 52-17!), and our utility customer had major problem; their very large ash pond surface had dried and frozen, resulting in it becoming a major source of dust for the local area. I said “we will be there in six hours with at least one crew and equipment and more will follow. And we will not leave until the pond is secure.” For two weeks in sub-zero conditions, our team sealed the pond surface and stopped any and all dust from blowing from it.

Ashpond Puzzle

So what does it take to continually manage and monitor your ash pond to avoid emergencies like this and those mentioned in the media?

-Spray a surface sealant on the pond that penetrates to the desired depth, creating a bonded matrix consisting of the sealant and the ash.

-This bonded matrix locks all fines and particles into the surface matrix and eliminates the root cause, free particles,  from becoming airborne and a nuisance or hazard to the local area.

-Maintain this application cycle on a yearly basis.

We can provide product and guidance for coal ash pond issues or do a complete turnkey installation.


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