Dynegy’s Coal Ash Threat

Protect the Middle Fork from Coal Ash Pollution

Environmental Law Class
Thursday, April 14, 2016
11:00 am to 11:30am
131 Animal Sciences Laboratory, Gregory Drive
Urbana, Illinois 61801

On April 14, 2016, Pam and Lan Richart, Eco-Justice Collaborative, will speak with A. Bryan Endres, Associate Professor of Food & Agricultural Law, and his Environmental Law Class about the threat to the Middle Fork of the Vermilion River and the City of Danville from 3.3 million cubic yards of coal ash stored in three pits owned by Dynegy. The toxic waste is located in the floodplain of the Middle Fork, and is leaching heavy metals into the river. The natural movement of the river is eroding the banks of the pits. This could result in a spill much like the one that occurred in NC just one year ago, where 46,000 cubic yards of coal ash spilled into the Eden River sending toxic ash 70 miles downstream. The 46,000-gallon spill is equal to just 1% of the volume of one of Dynegy’s three coal ash pits located only 12 miles upstream from Danville.

We will explore the problem, and why Dynegy’s solution will leave Danville and Vermilion County residents with a continuing threat to health and safety and potential long-term liability. Learn about the local response, and grassroots organizing taking place to ensure that Dynegy moves its coal waste out of the floodplain into properly-constructed, lined ponds, away from the river.