On the heels of recent reports about the dangers of toxic coal ash seeping into groundwater in Georgia, several democrats in the state legislature are taking aim at coal ash disposal procedures in the state.
State Representatives Erick Allen, D-Smyrna, Mary Margaret Oliver, D-Decatur, Debbie Buckner, D-Junction City, Jasmine Clark, D-Lilburn, Mary Frances Williams, D-Marietta and Minority Leader Bob Trammell, D-Luthersville are co-sponsors of the legislation, formally known as House Bill 756.
Georgians want to know their groundwater is safe from toxic coal ash,” said Trammell. “That is not a high bar. Surely we can meet it.”
“The legislation is straight forward,” said Oliver. “We know the byproduct of coal production, coal ash, is incredibly toxic. We are just trying to make sure it is disposed of the same way household garbage is, and right now we do not do that.”
It was recently reported that current Georgia law states that household waste must be disposed of in municipal solid waste landfills that have bottom liners and leachate collection systems to ensure that garbage and liquid wastes do not pollute our groundwater. However, the code does not require coal ash to be disposed of in lined facilities.
“Under Georgia law, we protect the environment and human health from household trash more than we protect the environment and human health from the dangers of toxic coal ash,” said Buckner.
