Happy #FridaysForFuture, Green ATLiens!
Did you know there are four unlined coal ash ponds that have been a source of groundwater contamination in Atlanta? See below an interactive map of coal ash contaminated sites in the U.S. Two of the four in Atlanta (ITP) have been closed, the other two have a notice of intent to close thanks to the implementation of 2015 federal coal ash regulations -the Coal Combustion Residuals Rule.
The toxins in coal ash are linked to cancer, heart disease, reproductive failure, stroke, and can cause lasting brain damage in children. See a full infographic on the harm to human health from breathing and ingesting coal ash intoxicants here.
The EPA is currently proposing to allow companies to delay closing unlined coal ash ponds. Tell the EPA ATLiens want no delays in closing unlined coal ash ponds contaminating our local groundwater supply.
If you have another 5-10 minutes to take your activism one step further, use the message template below to voice your concerns to Georgia Senators Johnny Isakson and David Perdue.
Contact Senator Johnny Isakson
Message template
Dear Senator,
The 2015 coal ash rule is currently protecting more than 10 million people across Georgia. Despite some weaknesses in the current rule, coal plant owners have already established publicly-accessible websites, completed hundreds of inspections, published critical groundwater quality data, identified over a hundred sites where cleanup of contaminated groundwater must soon begin, and disclosed the identity of leaking and dangerous coal ash ponds that must close. The standards of the 2015 rule — which received more than a half-million supporting comments from the public — are helping to protect clean water and safeguard public health and should be strengthened, not weakened. For this reason, I ask you to oppose the EPA’s proposal to allow polluters to delay the closure of dangerous coal ash ponds. Furthermore, I ask that you to strongly oppose the EPA’s failure to hold even one in-person public hearing on this proposal. This is a violation of law. By refusing to hold an in-person public hearing, the current presidential administration is failing to encourage meaningful participation in rulemaking and is removing a critical right of the public to directly address EPA representatives.
Your constituent,
Stay green, ATLiens!🖖👽
Green ATLiens 