Safe Disposal of Coal Ash in Virginia

In our region, states began issuing permits in about 2014 for the closure of leaking coal ash ponds located along the Potomac, James, Patuxent, Susquehanna and other rivers. In Virginia, several Dominion Energy coal power plants fought to “cap in place” the toxic coal ash ponds. Potomac Riverkeeper, James Riverkeeper and Waterkeepers Chesapeake organized impacted communities, legislators and other groups to fight this plan. In 2019, this hard fought campaign resulted in Virginia Safe Disposal of Coal Ash bill (SB 1355) that mandates the safe disposal of 28 million tons of toxic coal ash Dominion Energy now has stored on the banks of the Potomac, James and Elizabeth Rivers. This bill sets a national precedent for how to safely remove a legacy of toxic coal ash stored along our waterways in our region and across the nation.

Latest Posts
A Big Year for Clean Water Legislation in Maryland and Virginia!

A Big Year for Clean Water Legislation in Maryland and Virginia!

We had some important legislative wins for clean water in Maryland. But first let’s give a big shout out to ...
Years of Advocacy Results in Bipartisan Solution to Coal Ash Cleanup in Virginia

Years of Advocacy Results in Bipartisan Solution to Coal Ash Cleanup in Virginia

Aerial photo of Possum Point coal ash ponds by Alan Lehman of Potomac Riverkeeper Network New law requires excavation of ...
What’s the Scoop? What You Need to Know about the 2018 Virginia and Pennsylvania Legislative Sessions

What’s the Scoop? What You Need to Know about the 2018 Virginia and Pennsylvania Legislative Sessions

The Waterkeepers and Riverkeepers in our coalition are vigilantly working to make the waters of the Chesapeake and Coastal Bays ...
Public Hearings & Rallies to Stop Toxic Coal Ash & Fracked Gas Pipelines

Public Hearings & Rallies to Stop Toxic Coal Ash & Fracked Gas Pipelines

Dec. 4th Public Meeting & Rally on Coal Ash Disposal in Virginia Back in April, Governor McAuliffe put the brakes ...
Waterkeepers Chesapeake Legislative Victories in Virginia and Maryland

Waterkeepers Chesapeake Legislative Victories in Virginia and Maryland

Waterkeepers Chesapeake and our 19 independent Riverkeeper, Coastkeeper and Shorekeeper organizations advocate for legislation at the local, state and federal ...
WKC Sept 2016 Enews: Challenges of Keeping Our Water Clean

WKC Sept 2016 Enews: Challenges of Keeping Our Water Clean

Dominion Energy’s Coal Ash Pond Pollution In Virginia, both the James and Potomac Rivers are being severely impacted by coal ...
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Lower James Riverkeeper: ‘We Urge DEQ to Amend This Permit to Treat Coal Ash Wastewater to Safe Limits’

Dominion Power Press Statement: James River Association Objects to Draft Permit to Dewater Coal Ash Ponds at Dominion’s Chesterfield Power Station Richmond ...
Pressure Mounting on DEQ to Protect Virginians From Dominion’s Coal Ash Pollution

Pressure Mounting on DEQ to Protect Virginians From Dominion’s Coal Ash Pollution

Today, on behalf of Potomac Riverkeeper Network, the Southern Environmental Law Center filed an appeal of the permit issued by ...
Upper James Riverkeeper: Plan Court Challenge to Protect the James River from Coal Ash Pollution

Upper James Riverkeeper: Plan Court Challenge to Protect the James River from Coal Ash Pollution

On behalf of the James River Association, Southern Environmental Law Center has filed a notice with the Virginia Department of ...
Potomac Riverkeeper: Emptied coal ash pond at Virginia Dominion Power site raises questions

Potomac Riverkeeper: Emptied coal ash pond at Virginia Dominion Power site raises questions

“In June 2015, our partner Potomac Riverkeeper Network took aerial photographs revealing the unexpected draining of coal ash wastewater from ...
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