North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia are proving it is possible for utilities to remove massive quantities of coal ash from ponds where it endangers groundwater, placing it in safer lined landfills. This could be a model for other states, but challenges remain.
Posted inGreat Lakes News Collaborative, Lake Michigan, Latest News, Michigan, News, Recreation and Tourism, Region, Science, Technology & Research, Tourism, Water Quality
Park service investigates sudden change in river flow at Sleeping Bear Dunes
The National Park Service is investigating a sudden change in the flow of the Platte River at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
Posted inDrinking Water, Equity and Environmental Justice, Industry, Latest News, Michigan, News, Politics, Region, Water Quality
“Poisonous Ponds: Tackling Toxic Coal Ash” featured on One Detroit program
Just how big of a threat is coal ash to drinking water in Michigan? GLN Host Ward Detwiler interviews journalist Kari Lydersen to find out.
Posted inAdvocacy, Drinking Water, Equity and Environmental Justice, Featured, Groundwater Contamination, Illinois, Industry, Lake Michigan, Municipalities, News, Politics, Region, Science, Technology & Research, Water Quality
Coal ash contaminating groundwater near Joliet to stay, despite residents’ and activists’ concerns
Lincoln Stone Quarry holds millions of tons of toxic coal ash. Despite evidence of groundwater contamination, its owner plans to leave the ash in place. But recent signs of federal enforcement may provide a glimmer of hope to residents and environmental groups.
Posted inClimate, Featured, Groundwater Contamination, Illinois, Indiana, Industry, Lake Michigan, Latest News, News, Ohio, Politics, Region, Research, Data and Technology, Science, Technology & Research, Water Quality, Wisconsin
Rising waters, sinking feeling: From the Great Lakes to the Ohio River, climate change puts coal ash impoundments at risk
More frequent flooding multiplies the risk that coal ash will contaminate rivers, lakes and groundwater. Experts say the time to act is now.
Posted inCulture, Featured, Fish, Birds and Animals, Lake Huron, Latest News, Michigan, News, Recreation and Tourism, Region, Science, Technology & Research, Shipwrecks, Tourism, Wisconsin
New stamps celebrate NOAA marine sanctuaries’ landscapes and marine life
A Great Lakes national marine sanctuary is included in a new collection of U.S. postage stamps.
Posted inAgriculture, Equity and Environmental Justice, Groundwater Contamination, Industry, Latest News, New York, News, Politics, Recreation and Tourism, Region, Science, Technology & Research, Tourism, Water Quality
In the Finger Lakes, a bitcoin mining plant billed as ‘green’ has a dirty coal ash problem
Residents want regulators to force the bitcoin miner that took over an old coal plant to clean up coal ash contaminating water.
Posted inClimate, Culture, Drinking Water, Equity and Environmental Justice, Featured, Groundwater Contamination, Illinois, Indiana, Industry, Lake Michigan, Latest News, Michigan, News, Politics, Region, Research, Data and Technology, Science, Technology & Research, Water Quality
Leaking landfills: Unregulated coal ash poses a buried, brewing threat to Lake Michigan and beyond, new lawsuit says
As the EPA steps up enforcement of coal ash regulations, environmentalists demand action on historic coal ash not covered by those rules.
Posted inForever Chemicals Featured, Latest News, Michigan, New York, News, PFAS, PFAS News Roundup, Politics, Region, Research, Data and Technology, Science, Technology & Research, Water Quality
PFAS News Roundup: Eliminating “forever chemicals,” reporting obligations broadening
Catch the latest updates on what’s happening with PFAS in Great Lakes Now’s biweekly headline roundup.
Posted inClimate, Culture, Energy, Equity and Environmental Justice, Featured, Groundwater Contamination, Illinois, Indiana, Industry, Lake Michigan, Latest News, Michigan, News, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Politics, Protect, Region, Research, Data and Technology, Science, Technology & Research, The States, Water Quality, Wisconsin
Cracking down on coal ash: Tough talk and tough choices
The EPA says it is getting serious about enforcing federal coal ash rules. But massive challenges remain, from recalcitrant state regulators to environmental justice conundrums to ballooning costs for ratepayers.
