‘Out of the Ashes II: water pollution and NSW aging coal-fired power stations’
New investigation from HCEC on the environmental impacts of 216 million tonnes of coal-ash waste
Out of the Ashes II: NSW water pollution and our aging coal-fired power stations is the second investigative report from HCEC on water pollution and ecosystem impacts from leaching coal-ash waste dumps.
Our report combines data from Government, industry and independent sources to show how current regulation is allowing hundreds of tonnes of harmful heavy metals to pollute water in Lake Macquarie, the Hunter Valley and Lithgow.
Out of the Ashes makes clear recommendations for polices, including a levy on ash dumping that can be adopted under existing legislation and would begin reducing both legacy and future contamination by increasing coal-ash reuse rates, in turn supporting the expansion of sustainable industry in NSW’ regions and safeguarding our precious aquatic species, including fish, crabs and water birds from the bioaccumulation of heavy metals.
"I think this is a really important expose of a major problem, a major environmental problem that is literally growing all the time," - Dr. Ian Wright, water quality expert, Western Sydney University
"We've had the HCEC report and been reviewing that and that would inform future work that we intend to undertake," - David Fowler, Executive Director, NSW EPA
AGL, “"Bayswater”, Hunter Valley
Delta Electricity, “Vales Point”, Central Coast
Formerly Energy Australia, “"Wallerawang”, Lithgow
Take action today
There is widespread public and growing political support for action to prevent on-going coal-ash pollution, and now is a pivotal moment to make your concerns heard and call on the NSW Government and NSW EPA to #CleanUpCoalAsh!
Contact our Environment Minister
Email: office@kean.minister.nsw.gov.au
Phone: 8574 6150
Contact the NSW EPA
Email: info@epa.nsw.gov.au
Phone: 131 555
AGL, “"Liddell,” Hunter Valley
Origin’s “Eraring”", Lake Macquarie
Energy Australia, “Mt Piper”", Lithgow
Media Coverage
ABC News report: “Power Pollution”, Oct 16, Ben Millington
NSW coal ash dams need better regulation, say environment groups, Oct 17, ABC Newcastle
New report finds coal ash management strategies are failing to stop pollution spreading, Oct 20, Newcastle Herald, Maitland Mercury
300 tonnes of pollutants will leach into Lake Macquarie, Oct 22, Coast Community News
Is Lake Macquarie lost to heavy metals?, Oct 23, Coast Community News
EnergyAustralia comments following report that finds Mt Piper ash dump is contaminating groundwater, Oct 23, Lithgow Mercury