Toxic Metal Discharges from Coal-Fired Power Plants

May 21, 2009

Data provided to the U.S. EPA reveal that high levels of arsenic and selenium are being discharged from scrubber sludge and coal ash ponds at coal-fired power plants across the country. On April 30, 2009, the Environmental Integrity Project’s Executive Director, Eric Schaeffer, testified before the House Transportation and Infrastructure’s Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment to discuss the impacts of coal combustion waste disposal on water quality and present the data showing toxic discharges from ash ponds and scrubber sludge at select power plants to surface waters.

  • For the testimony, see here.
  • For a clarification to the Subcommittee on the power plant discharges, see here.
  • For the bar chart of selenium discharges from select facilities submitted with the testimony, see here.
  • For the bar chart of arsenic discharges from select facilities submitted with the testimony, see here.
  • For a detailed chart of selenium discharges prepared by EIP (with additional facilities added), see here.
  • For a detailed chart of arsenic discharges prepared by EIP (with additional facilities added), see here.