Groups to release report on statewide coal ash contamination

MEDIA ADVISORY:
DATE: September 13, 2007

Contact:
Jeff Stant, Clean Air Task Force, (317) 359-1306
Lisa Evans, Earthjustice, (781) 631-4119
Dante Picciano, (570) 386-5744

GROUPS TO RELEASE REPORT ON STATEWIDE COAL ASH CONTAMINATION
Study finds mines plugged with toxic coal ash have poisoned water across PA

MAHANOY CITY, PA -- A coalition of local and national environmental groups, concerned residents, and academics will gather on Tuesday, September 18th, at the site of one of Pennsylvania's largest coal ash minefilling operations, calling for the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to change the misguided practice of backfilling mines with the poisonous byproduct of coal-fired power plants. With the smokestacks of the Schuylkill Energy power plant and the toxic Ellengowan mining site in the background, the group will release an exhaustive report that documents unprecedented levels of groundwater contamination at this site and others throughout the state. The group will also call upon the federal Environmental Protection Agency to intervene and investigate the site under its Superfund authority. The report’s authors and local environmental advocates will be available to answer questions.

WHO:
Jeff Stant, Director, Power Plant Waste Program, Clean Air Task Force
Lisa Evans, Attorney, Earthjustice
Robert Gadinski, Geologist, PADEP (retired)
Robert Krick, Vice President, Mahanoy Creek Watershed Association
Brian Whitman, Professor of Environmental Engineering, Wilkes University
Dante Picciano, Attorney and Scientist
Bill Lockwood, Save Us From Future Environmental Risk

WHAT:
Press conference to release report on statewide contamination from coal mines backfilled with toxic coal ash. Conference will be held at one of Pennsylvania’s largest minefilling operations.

WHEN:
Tuesday, Sept. 18, 10 a.m.

WHERE:
St. Mary's Byzantine Cemetery overlooking Schuylkill Energy power plant, Mahanoy City, PA (click here for map)