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Davis letter raises questions about coal ash
Published Thursday, October 15, 2009
WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Artur Davis, D-Birmingham, began circulating a letter around the House of Representatives Wednesday, calling for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to evaluate claims from Perry County that the ash dumped there from a Tennessee spill be evaluated for health and safety concerns.
In the letter to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, Davis asks for the agency “to establish consistent standards at the federal level that would fully address these legitimate concerns about the content of coal ash waste.”
He said Pennsylvania refused the shipment because the ash did not meet that state’s environmental standards.
Alabama’s standards are less rigorous, Davis said, which allowed the state to take the ash.
“If coal ash poses an unacceptable level of risk, inconsistent state standards should be immediately replaced with national guidelines that would put the safety of the people in one community on the same level as families living in another,” he said.
About 3 million tons of coal ash from a December 2008 spill at the Tennessee Valley Authority’s Kingston Fossil Plant in eastern Tennessee has been transported by rail for storage in Perry County near the Dallas County line.
Questions have been raised by residents in the area about the ash. Will it impact the drinking water sources of nearby communities? Does the coal ash constitute a health hazard now or in the future?
Perry County is in Davis’ 7th Congressional District.
Davis said members of his staff have met with Perry County leaders and people concerned about the difference in state safety standards.
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Comments
Posted by artwhkgg (anonymous) on October 15, 2009 at 8:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Don't take little al's source of fun away! Who else is going to count the 4,000,000,000 ounces of paper the commission will get.
Posted by eyeonyou (anonymous) on October 15, 2009 at 9:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Go check my post back months ago about this subject. Al was on the radio telling half truths about the "toxic free" coal ash all while he had NO PROOF. Can you say "kick backs". He is nothing but another crooked politician greasing his pockets all while screwing over the same people that he pretends to defend and protect. The EPA has answered these questions, "THEY DON'T KNOW THE TRUE LEVELS OF TOXINS IN THE ASH".
Pennsylvania refused the shipment, but not Perry County. Come on people, if it's not toxic then why is Tennessee so eager to get this out of their State? Why are citizens that live near the ash spill MOVING IN RECORD NUMBERS? Why are they taking legal action? Face reality.
Posted by me12345 (anonymous) on October 15, 2009 at 11:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
the last spill they had in TN they wouldnt even let the people view there doctor reports for the ones that went to the Dr. the ash people didnt want the results to get out
Posted by allmylife (anonymous) on October 15, 2009 at 12:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
While I appreciate (candidate) Rep. Davis' efforts one must ask where was he when the debate was going on?
Posted by yellowroseofTexas (anonymous) on October 15, 2009 at 2:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with allmylife.
Posted by bama (anonymous) on October 15, 2009 at 2:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Where was Davis several months back when the state was deciding on this? I contacted his office in DC and at home. No response. Shame on all those involved for bringing this toxic crap to our state.
Posted by STJReader (anonymous) on October 16, 2009 at 5:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What a joke - where has Davis been? If he were really interested in this issue don't you think he would have weighed in earlier? Sounds like politics as usual - he's trying to get into the news cycle as he gets his campaign going. What a joke!
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