44 Coal Ash Ponds located in Kentucky

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has located 44 coal ash ponds in Kentucky - the second highest number next to Indiana.  Seven ponds in the state have been categorized by the EPA as "high hazard", including sites in Louisa, Harrodsburg, Ghent and Louisville.  (This means that if one of those ponds failed, it would result in significant damage or loss of life.)

After the recent massive coal ash spill in TN, the EPA decided to more seriously study coal ash ponds to find out where they are and how safely they are constructed and maintained.  The results of their data collection, released last Friday, indicate that the problem of coal ash is widespread.  Ash ponds are located in 35 states and the majority of dump sites are over three decades old.  

There are many toxins in coal ash known to be hazardous to human health and to cause cancer at certain exposure levels. According to the EPA report, many of the ash ponds in KY were not designed or constructed by engineers, bringing into question whether or not the ash is properly contained at these sites. Several of Kentucky Utilities' and LG&E's ponds fall into this category.

Coal ash is the waste material taken from equipment that reduces the pollutants in air leaving coal-burning power plants. Its' disposal has been a source of ongoing concern because it poses a public health threat and is not regulated by the EPA.  State regulations of the ponds are inconsistent.  The EPA is currently considering passing regulations for disposal.