By Brittany Weinstein Michigan Energy Program Intern
On Friday November 1st, Clean Water Fund released a report about the dangers of coal ash pollution in Michigan. We held a press conference at The Rock on Michigan State University’s (MSU) campus to let lawmakers, students, and the public know that we want to put an end to coal ash pollution, and protect our health and our environment by investing in clean energy. Coal ash is what’s left after coal is burned to create electricity. It’s filled with chemicals like arsenic, mercury, lead and other heavy metals known to cause cancer and health problems. Coal ash pollution is dangerous to our health and the environment yet it is less regulated than household trash!
As a student at Michigan State, I’m one of over 40,000 students exposed to toxic coal ash every day. Walking to my morning classes on Monday and Wednesday, I can’t help but notice the giant pile of coal ash less than a mile from the Red Cedar River. I’ve had enough of toxic coal ash on my campus! Unfortunately, there are currently no federal standards to make sure that coal ash is disposed of properly and safely. State laws regarding disposal are limited or simply don’t exist at all. It’s time to #kickcoalash and properly dispose of this toxic waste that is contaminating the ground and surface water at MSU and across the state. Download a full copy of the report, Toxic Trash Exposed: Coal Ash Pollution in Michigan, here LIKE the Michigan Team on Facebook and FOLLOW them on Twitter and Instagram!
