The state has issued a permit to Georgia Power for a coal ash pond closure plan at Plant Hammond critics say violates a federal rule against leaving ash in contact with groundwater.
The closure of Ash Pond 3 at the plant near Rome is in conjunction with the Atlanta-based utility’s plan to close all 29 of its coal ash ponds.
At 19 of the ponds, ash is to be excavated and removed. The other 10 are to be closed in place. Coal ash contains contaminants including mercury, cadmium and arsenic that can pollute groundwater and drinking water as well as air.
The ponds are being closed because Georgia Power intends to retire its entire fleet of coal-burning power plants by 2028, with the exception of two units at Plant Bowen near Cartersville. Environmental activists are urging the federal EPA to stop the state Environmental Protection Division.
