EPA won´t reveal location of hazardous coal ash sites

June 12 -- The U.S. EPA has identified 44 coal ash waste impoundments across the country that pose a "high hazard" to the people living nearby, but Homeland Security and Army Corps of Engineers officials want the locations kept secret, Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., said during a Washington press conference.

"It´s disturbing to me -- I don´t see the rationale," Boxer said, describing what she called a "blanket gag order."

EPA officials have told Boxer, whose committee is investigating the safety of coal ash impoundments, the locations of the sites. But she has been forbidden to reveal the information to anyone other than other senators in affected areas and emergency response officials and representatives of the utilities involved. Boxer can´t even reveal the information to members of her own staff, she said.

"We are losing what we cherish in America, the public´s right to know," Boxer said.

She said residents of the communities involved have a right to know if a threat exists in their neighborhood. She is asking for further explanation from the Department of Homeland Security.

Her committee began investigating coal ash impoundments after more than 1 billion gallons of coal combustion waste covered more than 300 acres near the Tennessee Valley Authority´s Kingston coal-fired power plant in December 2008.

The EPA is moving to ensure the public is protected near the other 44 hazardous sites it has identified, Boxer said.

Contact Waste & Recycling News senior reporter Bruce Geiselman at 330-865-6172 or bgeiselman@crain.com