Millions of tons of toxic coal ash is piling up in power plant ponds in 32 states, including Virginia.
An Associated Press analysis of the most recent Energy Department data found that 156 coal-fired power plants store ash in surface ponds similar to the one that collapsed last month in Tennessee. Four of these plants are in Virginia.
The power industry estimates that the ponds contain tens of thousands of pounds of toxic heavy metals. The federal government has long recognized the ponds as a risk to human health and the environment but has left the practice unregulated.
West Virginia Congressman Nick Rahall says he plans to introduce legislation to compel the Environmental Protection Agency to act.
Industry officials argue that a federal regulation will do little to prevent pollution at older dump sites.
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