CHESAPEAKE, Va. (AP) - Researchers have found that millions of tons of coal ash stored along the Elizabeth River will become increasingly vulnerable to flooding and other coastal risks.
The Virginian-Pilot reports (https://bit.ly/2ify5wq ) that the Southern Environmental Law Center released the report Monday. The center is representing the Sierra Club in a federal lawsuit seeking to have Dominion Virginia Power move the ash inland. A judge hasn’t yet ruled after a June trial.
Western Carolina University researchers found that the ash, buried as much as 6 feet below mean sea level, is “highly vulnerable to coastal hazards” and warn that the hazards will worsen with climate change.
Dominion says a project meant “to protect against rising waters and a 500-year flood” at the Chesapeake Energy Center site is scheduled to be complete next year.
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