HEC & Our Partners Push for Safest Possible Coal Ash Cleanup 

Two public meetings this week provided a preview of state and electric utility plans to address the toxic threat from unlined & uncovered coal ash dumps.

IDEM'S PUBLIC HEARING & A CALL TO ACTION 

Yesterday in an IDEM-organized public hearing, HEC and our partners from the Sierra Club and Hoosier Interfaith Power and Light urged that the state's proposed new coal ash plan and rules be strengthened in order to p rotect:
  • Public health
  • Drinking water supplies
  • Streams and lakes
At stake is a decision whether Indiana's 84 coal ash slurry dumps -- the most of any state -- remain a serious environmental and health risk or are cleaned up and the ash moved to lined, dry landfills.    
 
Indiana's coal ash dumps are typically unlined and located along rivers or the Lake Michigan shoreline, directly above shallow aquifers that are highly susceptible to contamination. At least 13 Indiana coal ash sites have experienced groundwater contamination or surface spills. 
 
Take Action: Please send comments to IDEM by June 30th urging the state to adopt a strong and effective coal ash management plan and corresponding rules.   Get up to speed on the issue and how you can comment here.

IPL'S COAL ASH PLAN & A CALL TO ACTION
 
At a meeting the day before yesterday, Indianapolis Power and Light (IPL) announced a plan to close its coal ash dumps located along the White River by pumping out the water, covering the ash, and leaving it in place. This is very concerning for many reasons:
  • All but one of the eight dumps are unlined and sit just a few feet above a shallow groundwater system that supplies drinking water wells less than 2 miles away.
  • IPL's proposed Harding Street station closure plan revealed that groundwater contamination -- including high levels of arsenic, boron, and molybdenum -- is still occurring under the lagoons, per new water sampling.
  • No evidence was provided to reassure Southside residents that IPL's plan will stop the contamination, protect water supplies for nearby homes, or keep coal ash pollutants from entering the White River.

Take Action: Tell IPL's CEO to clean up their dangerous coal ash lagoons! Follow developments at Harding Street on Facebook or at indianacoalash.org.
PLEASE DONATE TO OUR #HECPROTECTSUS CAMPAIGN

If you care about safeguarding Indiana families from toxic threats posed by coal ash, factory farm waste, & industrial pollution, donate to our #HECProtectsUs campaign! If you give before the end of the month,  your gift will be matched, dollar for dollar , thanks to a generous Indiana donor. Thank you for your support!

donate button
Donor Spotlight: Rosemary Spalding

Rosemary Spalding is a highly regarded environmental attorney in Indianapolis. She and her husband Mark try to support all of the environmental organizations that do great work in our state. Rosemary currently is president of Earth Charter Indiana, which focuses primarily on climate change -- the greatest challenge of our lifetime. She supports HEC because of "the staff's extensive expertise in all aspects of environmental policy, and because of HEC's collaborative approach working with other organizations and individuals to achieve the best possible results for all Hoosiers and the environment." Simply put, she notes "HEC's leadership in Indiana is invaluable." Please join loyal & generous donors like Rosemary by giving to our #HECProtectsUs campaign!
Calling All Green-Minded Businesses! 

Does your company sell green products, offer green services and/or engage in green business practices? Become an HEC Green Business to show your commitment to protecting the environment in Indiana! New HEC Green Business gifts will also be matched dollar-for-dollar through the end of June. 

To all of our faithful supporters, please show Indiana companies that  environmental stewardship is important to you when choosing products and services - patronize  these HEC Green Businesses !


See what's happening on our social sites: