Earlier reports from AEP - Sporn facility

From announcement: Coal Ash Survey Results: http://www.epa.gov/osw/nonhaz/industrial/special/fossil/surveys/

Specifically - Philip Sporn facility
http://www.epa.gov/osw/nonhaz/industrial/special/fossil/surveys/survey-sporn.pdf

Close to a year after the December 2008 breach at the TVA Plant in Roane County, TN., the EPA is using wisdom in prevention of another such disaster.
[ A containment pond, holding waste from the Coal-fired plant was compromised and the environmental devastation and impact on human life is beyond words. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2008/dec/22/officials-dike-burst-floods-homes-near-tva-plant/
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2008/dec/23/link-roundup-tva-disaster-roane-county-getting-wid/ ]

After reading the survey I am quite concerned. This is no reflection on the power companies, this is on those who are supposed to be regulating facilities who pollute.

• Question I ~ kind of gets everyone out of regulatory issues by declaring the ponds not a hazard. (by the Div. of Water & Waste Mngmt)
• These were designed by a West Virginian P.E. in 1996. Since 1997, liners that are regulated on landfill cells have been upgraded, it isn't the same, but that is a long time ago in engineering.
• There are no real inspections, and it is interesting how they term problems as erosion and slippage. No spills. There shows to have been some type of upgrade in 2002...we have learned a lot about toxins and hazards since then.
• Last regulatory inspection was 3/09, and there is no report available.
• April 06, 2005 is the last inspection available.
• The "Bottom Ash Pond" {max hgt 42'} is able to contain 265 acres, and the "Fly Ash Pond" can hold 1,965 acres that is holding at a maximum height of 65 feet.
• The report states that all Fly Ash is taken to a dry landfill. From what several states have ruled, that is not the best disposal method for Fly Ash.

As the old saying goes; "...an ounce of prevention is worth tons [sp] of cure.."

How to Achieve a Global Climate Change Agreement

How to Achieve a Global Climate Change Agreement

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EPA Releases report on WV Coal Impoundments

The EPA has released a draft report concerning TWO coal ash impoundments at AEP's (American Energy & Power) Philip Sporn facility in West Virginia.

http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/0/E3E4D83B1EA522FF852576700063EB00

The EPA has conducted multiple studies and assessments from the Kingston, TVA coal ash impoundment disaster spill in December of 2008. The EPA feels that it is using caution and transparency by informing Ohio, and West Virginia officials, First Responders and AEP of their findings. As well as releasing the draft of findings, it has asked AEP to review the facility and all systems and procedures to prevent another such disaster as Kingston, TN TVA spill.

According to this announcement, the EPA does not believe their is an imminent threat to the neighboring communities. EPA is requesting that AEP take some surveys of systems and return those reports within 90 days. AEP has agreed to perform the requested studies.

It is using wisdom to prevent disaster, and hopefully this will make everyone aware of the compiling problems of using Coal for energy. There are more negatives. Considering any form of energy from Coal to Wind, needs to consider the entire process from start-up to waste products. One of the cleanest ways to produce energy is via nuclear; again we have a continuing storage of spent plutonium fuel rods that are 'live' for at least 10,000 year.

If we will continue to look at risks associated with industries and continue to communicate and consider human and ecological life, we may pull ourselves out of this mess...

The Dam/Pond Man Speaks Out!

From time to time I check for updates on Sir Wick's battle...There is a new post: "Strange but True"~

... after noting all of the destruction (so far)*, the hazards of dipping or drinking from Mr. Smith's pond...accessing public funds and assistance...destroying a native habitat and U.S. waterway. The illegal construction of this dam/pond has taken away Kelly Creek, the peaceful enjoyment, wildlife, the swimming and fishing from those who lived downstream; the dam/pond man speaks. Let us all listen... http://www.shameonarkansas.com

"...During of which I acquired the assistance of B & F Engineering
to provide the technical assistance and design of my pond such as culverts and my pond's bank overflow to prevent any possibilities of catastrophe."

... http://www.bnfeng.com/Staff.htm /

http://www.bnfeng.com/Profile.htm This profile page advises of their knowledge of local, State and Federal laws...




*http://shameonarkansas.com - documents are linked.

NASA.Gov Announces Hazard:Flooding Along the Illinois River!

Because the waters of our State are vital to commerce. sport, food, transportation, hauling ~ and habitat, this public announcement may be of interest to you. http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/view.php?id=41006&src=nha The Illinois River is a major tributary of the Mississippi River.

Anyone, even a person who is not a scientist knows that if there is a bowl shape water will flow into the depression. Significant Basins are vital to the Hydro-sphere [the hydro-sphere is the water systems and circulations.] of an area.

Only, recently has it been acknowledged that pollution, dust, toxins, warming can happen in one area, but affect the entire globe and it's bio-sphere. (The goods that keep us alive and healthy).

Less than 30 years ago, no one considered spraying DDT on vegetables to kill bugs could hurt people. Even less the fact of run-off from their application of poisons like DDT, would affect an entire water supply and health of every living thing. All that is being said, to consider we have made bad assumptions in the recent past, or didn't take into the equation what our 'progress' will cost at the end.

The State of Arkansas is dependent upon the health of the Mississippi River Basin. There are active programs now setting "watches" on the health of the Mississippi River Basin. Hypoxia is a concern; "Hypoxia: is a pathological condition which the body as a whole, or a region of the body is deprived of oxygen- that part dies eventually" - HELLO!
http://74.125.95.132/search?q=cache:Aoppq9qdABAJ:www.epa.gov/gmpo/lmrsbc/index.html+Mississippi+River+Basin,+Illinois+River,+Arkansas&cd=10&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us
http://www.riverwatch.noaa.gov/arkansas.shtml Is a National Weather Service link to the River Watch. It lists the cities and States affected and concerned about this waterway. Arkansas City, Arkansas. Helena. West Memphis. Memphis, TN

EERE News: Hydropower Upgrades to Yield Added Generation at Average Costs Less Than 4 cents per kWh – Without New Dams

EERE News: Hydropower Upgrades to Yield Added Generation at Average Costs Less Than 4 cents per kWh – Without New Dams

This is good news for the waters and people of the State of Arkansas. The American Recovery and Revitalization Act earmarked certain infrastructure improvements without spending billions on new dams.

In the entire U.S., Four cities with MegaWatt stations of 50 MW of smaller were awarded these project funds. North Little Rock will benefit greatly from this injection.

The North Little Rock Electric Department has been awarded up to $450,000.00 to have an automated intake device installed, by the Department of Energy.

This device will help decrease the air pollution in a 'non-attainment' air basin, because it stops the previous need to burn debris dredged out of the intake. This will keep the operation of the dam at peak efficiency.

This boost came from Recovery monies for infrastructure. This upgrade on the Arkansas River and the dam is creating or saving jobs and helping the environment...Way to go.




I subscribe to EERE newsfeed; this is an excerpt from EERE Network News, a weekly electronic newsletter. November 4, 2009

Oregon Testifies for Clean Energy in the Northwest

Oregon Testifies for Clean Energy in the Northwest

It does a heart good to see people stand up for the environment. Thank you.

Region 6 EPA Awards ADEQ over $600,000.00!

http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/0/0E669E5F15DBA9758525765C00567CC8


It is a miracle! The children shouted, the women cried...Arkansas Dept of Environmental Quality was awarded a little over 1/2 million.

This is to fund investigations, emergency response, clean-ups, risk management, alternative water supplies [hey, that's a first for Arkansas! Five years ago, we had all the water we needed for every use.], relocation for residents who must be moved due to the leak of regulated storage tanks....where the party is unknown or unwilling to do the legal thing and clean up their mess. ( ? ).


Make sure and keep an eye on the State of Arkansas ARRA public watch for how stimulus money is being spent by agencies that have received ARRA Stimulus money. Can anyone shout, "administrative costs??!"

http://recovery.arkansas.gov/news.html

Where are all of the letters?

http://www.adeq.state.ar.us/regs/files/reg08_final_090228.pdf
Just ignore this link. It is nothing.

Just Us? Nice touch.

...at least 70 letters Mr. Wochos sent. Letters of complaint to the Water Division. Complaints regarding Darrell Smith's illegal dam, and the destruction of Kelly Creek...

Not one of his letters or complaints appear...?

1. http://www.adeq.state.ar.us/ftproot/pub/WebDatabases/InspectionsOnline/041079-Insp.pdf
2. http://www.adeq.state.ar.us/ftproot/pub/WebDatabases/Complaints/009345-comp.pdf
3.

Coal Ash Impoundments (Holding Ponds)

http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/0/59AC817F041E81F08525765E0062EC3C

All of you who were aghast at the horrible spill that happened December 23, 2008 at the Tennessee Valley Authority, Coal Fire Plant. Where 2.6 million cubic yards of fly-ash, buried 400 acres in sludge. A retaining wall broke. The damage from this spill has not been measured in all the environmental damage.

Now, turn it around; a dozen or so solar panels get hit by lightening, and earthquake and fire what happens? What is the fallout? Those who keep trying to push filthy coal have thier eye on one thing; the bottom line.

We are too technologically advanced to fall for this filthy source of energy that adds to it the devestation of mountains by mountain-top mining. It doesn't matter your politics; would you have your child, pet, relative, loved one buried in Coal ash sludge for the sake of profits?