Repairing the Damage: Cleaning Up Hazardous Coal Ash Can Create Jobs and Improve the Environment

Burning coal to produce electricity leaves behind coal ash, one of the largest industrial waste streams in the United States. Coal ash contains more than a dozen toxic substances that threaten human health and ecosystems, and weak regulations and lack of enforcement have allowed the ongoing pollution of our air, soil, and waterways. Disadvantaged communities, where many disposal sites are located, are disproportionately affected. Comprehensive coal ash cleanup can address longtime inequities, ensure lasting environmental benefits, generate new jobs for displaced workers, and broaden opportunities for community redevelopment.