"US Utilities Find Water Pollution at Coal Ash Dumps"

"Major utilities are finding evidence of groundwater contamination at coal-burning power plants across the U.S. where landfills and man-made ponds have been used for decades as dumping grounds for coal ash."

"BILLINGS, Mont. — Major utilities have found evidence of groundwater contamination at coal-burning power plants across the U.S. where landfills and man-made ponds have been used for decades as dumping grounds for coal ash, according to data released by plant owners under a Friday deadline.

Heightened levels of pollutants — including arsenic and radium in some cases — were documented at plants in numerous states, from Virginia to Alaska.

The Environmental Protection Agency required the plant owners to install test wells to monitor groundwater pollution as a first step toward cleaning up the sites.

The future of that effort was cast into uncertainty Thursday when the Trump administration announced it intends to roll back aspects of the program to reduce the industry's compliance costs by up to $100 million annually."

Matthew Brown and Sarah Rankin report for the Associated Press March 2, 2018.

SEE ALSO:

"Coal Ash Is Polluting Groundwater Across The Country, According To New Utility Data" (Think Progress)

"New EPA Rule Gives States Power To Determine Coal Ash Disposal" (The Hill)