A booklet distributed by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) regarding coal ash has been criticized as misleading by coal ash researchers. The 35-page booklet, titled “Know the Facts: Coal Ash”, was handed out at a public meeting on TVA’s coal ash remediation plan without any official branding.
Avner Vengosh, an environmental quality expert at Duke University, described the booklet as part of a “misleading public campaign.” Coal ash, a byproduct of coal combustion, contains substances like mercury, arsenic, and lead, which can lead to health issues, including cancer.
Tracy O’Neill from the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy found the booklet at a public session by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. The booklet claims “Coal Ash is Not Hazardous,” highlighting the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision not to classify it as hazardous under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. Instead, it’s labeled as special waste, alongside other industrial byproducts.
Howard Frumkin, a professor emeritus at the University of Washington, criticized the pamphlet for excluding dangerous metals and making deceptive comparisons, such as likening coal ash to garden soil.
The booklet does not mention the EPA’s stance that coal ash, under certain conditions, poses significant health risks. The TVA states its materials aim to “advance public understanding” by using credible third-party sources.
TVA’s spokesperson, Scott Brooks, defended the booklet’s content as factual, despite its omission of potential risks highlighted by the EPA’s initiative to protect communities from coal ash impacts.
Stephen Smith, director of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, expressed concern over TVA’s history of coal ash mishandling, citing the 2008 Kingston spill, which caused significant environmental damage and health issues for cleanup workers.
TVA’s recent leadership changes have seen a shift away from retiring coal units, which Smith criticized as a move backward in addressing coal ash issues.
At a public meeting, TVA manager Missy Hedgecoth was quoted downplaying arsenic levels in coal ash, a statement Avner Vengosh called “totally incorrect,” noting that contaminated groundwater often surpasses EPA standards.
Hedgecoth’s comments and their accuracy remain unaddressed by TVA, who also did not respond to requests for clarification on the booklet’s content.
Original Story at insideclimatenews.org