By: Sarah Gardiner
Delicious, nothing quite like the fresh taste of a glass of water coupled with some coal ash. Residents of Uniontown, Alabama are now the proud claimers to this tainted water. Shaila Dewan exposes the heinous allocation of this coal ash waste in her article, “Clash in Alabama Over Tennessee Coal Ash”. In this case coal ash is transported 350 miles and over state lines. Interestingly, Uniontown is a very poor community, and 70% African-American. These landfills are often put in poor counties because on the surface they bring in revenue, and create jobs. However, as evident with the Arrowhead Landfill spill, there are many external costs to this seemingly simple, economy boosting revenue.
The local environmental management has lax regulations on this hazardous waste, and gives out coal permits generously. The EPA has yet to even label the coal ash as hazardous waste. When a spill does occur at one of the landfills the citizen’s of the community health is at risk as it escapes into the local environment. Coal ash contains toxins like arsenic, and lead, which can then contaminate the water. These landfills pop up in mostly downtrodden communities, and also predominately African-American communities. Is it possible that these specific fly ash issues are evidence of environmental racism? And also, when will the EPA look into the recognition of this obviously hazardous material?
Dewain, Sheila. “Clash in Alabama Over Tennessee Coal Ash”. New York Times: 30 August 2009. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/30/us/30ash.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=clash%20in%20alabama%20over%20tennessee%20coal%20ash&st=cse.
6 comments:
I think they are part of environmental racism to a certain extent. Looking at it from an economic stand point its great that they are putting these landfills in places that give certain individuals an opportunity to work. It creates jobs and boosts the economy so we can think. However, do the health risks outweigh the benefits to the local economy? Is it even worth getting a job in that facility or living in close proximity's to that area?
I think it's terrible that the disadvantaged people of our country always get the short end of the stick when it comes to our "environmental solutions".
I do not see how placing coal ash in a landfill is beneficial in any way. There is obviously the potential for the toxins to leach out at any moment.
A clear example of environmental racism because the people in these communities do not have the money or power within the government to do something to change it.
Just FYI..I've been covering the coal ash story here in Alabama. The spill was at a TVA Power Plant in Tennessee where they stored the coal ash in huge ponds,. The landfill you name--Arrowhead---is the one in Uniontown Alabama where it is being deposited, amid some controversy. And Uniontown, in fact all of Perry County Alabama in which it sits, is very very poor. The local D.A. is considering legal action, though nothing so far. Cheers!
Environmental racism is horrible occurrence that happens far too much. Another case of environmental racism is that of Cancer Alley in the poor black communities that live along the Mississippi River in Louisiana. Polluting companies such as oil refineries or power plants that emit coal ash. Some policy needs to be implemented in order to increase human welfare. These poor communities are already struggling enough. Companies that create these pollutants need to reap the repercussions by internalizing their externalities.
I am very interested in Environmental Justice, and am not surprised that this problem is happening in a poor neighborhood. It is a continuing problem that occurs through out America. In Denver there is a highway placed over an elementary school and of course the school is about 95% latino, yet when trying to find a poor elementary school with a 95% white population who is faced with environmental hazards it is impossible. It does not matter that jobs are being provided because most likely in the end the money will be used to help face the health issues resulting from the job.
Racism aside, someone in the community is permitting the dumping to proceed... Is it out of the power of people from Alabama to prohibit dumping form Tennessee?
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