James River Association says EPA coal ash rule doesn't protect environment

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RICHMOND (WSLS 10) -  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a ruling for the first time ever on the disposal of coal ash, the waste formed from burning coal in power plants to make electricity. 

The new regulations establish some safeguards detecting and preventing releases of waste from more than 1400 coal ash ponds in the U.S. 

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READ MORE ABOUT COAL ASH SPILLS IN THE U.S. HERE 

The James River Association (JRA) said it has concerns that the new regulations do not adequately protect water sources currently in jeopardy from coal ash contamination, including the James River.

JRA said coal ash, when stored in unlined ponds and landfills, has been linked to the contamination of surface, ground and drinking water. It added that documented emissions have resulted in dangerous quantities of toxic dust being released into the air harming neighboring communities.

In November 2014, JRA kicked off its "Our River at Risk" advocacy campaign throughout the James River basin to bring awareness of the potential threats from storage and transportation of hazardous chemicals along the James River. The campaign was in response to recent incidents along rivers in the region including the 39,000 tons of coal ash that spilled into the Dan River in 2014. 

The James River basin is currently home to numerous coal ash ponds capable of holding up to 5 billion gallons of coal ash. For more information, visit www.riveratrisk.org.