Georgia Power will close a dozen coal ash ponds, including four inside the perimeter, in the next two years. The company plans to close all 29 of its ponds eventually; most within 10 years.
Coal ash is a byproduct from burning coal for electricity. It can contain toxic materials, and there have been catastrophic failures of coal ash ponds in other states in recent years. There have also been instances of it leaking into groundwater.
Georgia Power’s decision to close its ponds follows regulations the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently established, Georgia Power spokesman Jacob Hawkins said.
“Everything we’re doing is about compliance, and it’s also about balance and ensuring reliable electricity for customers,” he said. “We have to ensure that we have reliable electricity for customers throughout the construction process.”
The utility will handle the coal ash differently, depending on the site, Hawkins said. At Plant McDonough, near Smyrna, Georgia Power plans to take the coal ash out of the ponds it’s currently in, but still store it on-site. In other places, the utility will either leave the coal ash in place and cover it up, or remove it completely, and send it to a landfill.
