Coosa Riverkeeper plans to sue Alabama Power over 1.5 million-ton coal ash pond in Gadsden
An environmental advocacy group in Birmingham, Coosa Riverkeeper, plans to sue Alabama Power for alleged groundwater pollution stemming from a coal ash pond in Gadsden. Justinn Overton, Coosa Riverkeeper’s executive director, criticized the utility for maintaining a leaking coal ash pond near the city’s drinking water intake and ecotourism sites. The Southern Environmental Law Center filed a notice of intent on behalf of Coosa Riverkeeper, asserting that despite the pond’s closure, it continues to violate federal hazardous waste regulations.
The group highlights that nearly 40% of the 1.5 million tons of coal ash is water-saturated, with heavy metals like arsenic found in groundwater at levels nearly 40 times above acceptable limits. Alabama Power has faced previous fines, including a $250,000 penalty in 2019 for arsenic and radium spillage. Additionally, environmental advocates argue that the company’s groundwater monitoring is insufficient.
The pond’s close proximity to essential drinking water supplies and recreational areas poses economic and health threats to the community. Barry Brock, from the Southern Environmental Law Center, emphasized the lack of justification for maintaining the contaminated site, urging Alabama Power to follow the lead of other utilities that are relocating their coal ash to safer environments.
Coosa Riverkeeper and the Southern Environmental Law Center plan to file a federal lawsuit within 60 days, advocating for increased accountability and cleanup efforts from Alabama Power.
Read the complete article here: https://www.al.com/news/anniston-gadsden/2025/05/coosa-riverkeeper-plans-to-sue-alabama-power-over-15-million-ton-coal-ash-pond-in-gadsden.html