Up to 45% of Coal Ash by-product material easily meets industry specifications, and is currently recycled into beneficial use applications such as Cement and Gypsum Board products.  The remainder is typically stored in engineered landfills and impoundment ponds.  Accumulations of up to 2 million tons of Coal Ash are stored in one location.  One percent (1%) of 2 million tons or 40 million pounds of a 2 million ton accumulation is known to be highly toxic, highly soluble carcinogenic materials. 

 

Coal Ash spills have now released thousands of tons of raw, unprocessed Coal Ash and highly toxic materials into public water supplies.  Over 500 Coal Ash impoundment sites currently operate within the United States.