Coal-fired power plants account for almost half of America¿s electric power, resulting in 136 millions tons of CCW. CCW contains a range of heavy metals such as arsenic, beryllium, chromium, lead, and mercury. The primary concern regarding CCW relates to the potential for hazardous constituents to leach into surface or groundwater, and hence contaminate drinking water, surface water, or living organisms. Contents of this report: (1) Disposal and Use Issues; (2) The Nature of Coal Combustion Waste; (3) Potential Risks Associated with CCW Management; (4) Regulatory History and Current Rulemaking; (5) Landfill and Surface Impoundment Disposal; Mine Disposal; ¿Beneficial Use¿. Charts and tables. This is a print on demand report.

This is a print on demand edition of a hard to find publication. Coal combustion waste (CCW) is inorganic material that remains after pulverized coal is burned for electricity production. Industry estimates that as much as 136 million tons were generated in 2008. On Dec. 22, 2008, national attention was turned to the waste when a breach in an impoundment pond at the TVA¿s Kingston, TN, power plant released 1.1 billion gallons of coal ash slurry. The cleanup cost may reach $1.2 billion. Contents of this report: (1) Intro.; (2) Overview of EPA¿s Proposal; (3) The Nature of CCW; (4) CCW Management Methods; (5) Risks Associated with CCW Mis-Management; (6) RCRA Provisions Relevant to EPA¿s Proposal (7) EPA¿s Proposed Regulatory Options; (8) Types of Coal Combustion Waste. Charts and tables.

On Dec. 22, '08, a breach in a surface impoundment (or storage pond) dike at the TVA Kingston Fossil Plant in TN resulted in the release of 5.4 million cubic yards of coal ash -- also referred to as coal combustion residue (CCR) -- into the Emory River. The spill covered 300 acres and made 3 homes uninhabitable; it damaged 23 other homes, plus roads, rail lines, and utilities. The cleanup will cost a billion dollars and take 2 to 3 years to complete. This report identifies: (1) the number of surface impoundments for storing CCR in the U.S. and their location; (2) problems, if any, with the storage of coal ash, and how those problems are being addressed; and (3) the type of fed. oversight that exists for CCR and what, if any, issues need to be resolved. Illustrations.