Post on 24-Dec-2015
transcript
WHERE IS IT LOCATED…• Dan River starts in VA
• Works its way down into NC
• Finally feeds into the Kerr Lake Reservoir
• Near Eden NC
WHAT HAPPENED • 27 acre coal ash pond
• Date of Disaster: 2/2/14
• Storm drain ruptured underneath the pond
• Estimated 27-35 million gallons of contaminated water rushed into the Dan River
• Estimated 50,000 to 80,000 tons of coal ash entered into the River
AFTERMATH • Third largest coal ash spill in U.S. history
• More than 70 miles of river have been affected
• In Kerr Lake an ash bar 75’ long, 15’ wide and a depth of 5’ was found floating
• Dan River is a water source for over 50,000 people
• Long term exposure will start to degrade wildlife
• Aquatic life, birds and other animals depend on the river to provide water other resources and in turn are taking in deadly chemicals
• Estimated cost of the disaster is $70 million or higher
• Could go up to as much as $700 million (Dennis Lemly)
• Factored in for loss in wildlife/ecosystem, property devaluing and the economic impacts
• Continuous water testing and “Clean-up” are underway
RESPONSIBILITY-DUKE ENERGY • 2013 lawsuit
• Duke Energy claimed responsibility
• Fined $99,111, Duke Energy is a $50 billion company
OTHER FACTS• There are over 600 coal ash ponds in the U.S.
• EPA estimates that there are currently 44 coal ash hazard sites…this was one of them
• This spill was not the first coal ash spill and was no the worst.
• EPA study showed people living near unlined coal ash ponds have 1/50 chance of developing arsenic related cancer