Disaster Waiting to Happen
When you paddle the Middle Fork River, you know why advocates worked so hard to have it designated a State and National Scenic River nearly 30 years ago.
When you paddle the Middle Fork River, you know why advocates worked so hard to have it designated a State and National Scenic River nearly 30 years ago.
This short video was taken by EJC while kayaking past Dynegy’s three toxic coal ash pits.
The success of the campaign require Dynegy to move its coal ash out of the floodplain will depend on the number of businesses, faith leaders, elected officials, service groups, and residents who take action. Click for essential tools that will help build support through awareness and education; media; and advocacy.
Dynegy’s proposed closure plan for its three toxic coal ash pits along the Middle Fork of the Vermilion River is to cap them and leave them in place in the floodplain.
If just 1% of Dynegy’s coal ash entered the Middle Fork of the Vermilion River, it would be comparable to the Duke Energy’s 2014 Dan River spill that sent coal ash 70 miles downstream. Don’t wait for another disaster to happen! Get involved.
Protect the Middle Fork! Over 3.3 million cubic yards of toxic coal ash have been dumped in the floodplain of this National Scenic River.
Over a 55-year period, Illinois Power and its successor Dynegy constructed and operated three separate coal ash disposal pits, depositing over 3.3 million cubic yards of coal ash waste. These three coal ash pits are located in the western floodplain of the Middle Fork. Two of the pits are unlined and actively leaching into underlying groundwater. One is lined, but is located over underground voids created by prior coal mining.
Dynegy closed the power plant in 2001. Today, the Dynegy Vermilion site is a toxic waste dump – not an operating power plant.
Campaign to protect the Middle Fork of the Vermilion River from leaking coal ash pits located in the floodplain of Illinois’ only National Scenic River.
Urge Illinois Governor Pritzker and EPA Director Kim to require Dynegy to move its toxic waste away from the state’s only National Scenic River.