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.

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

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

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

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

Waterkeepers Chesapeake Legislative Victories in Virginia and Maryland

WKC Sept 2016 Enews: Challenges of Keeping Our Water Clean

Lower James Riverkeeper: ‘We Urge DEQ to Amend This Permit to Treat Coal Ash Wastewater to Safe Limits’

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

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

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