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The Environmental Protection Agency is hearing testimony from environmental advocates in D.C. today, ahead of a proposed rule change in coal ash pond regulations.
Coal ash from power plants is often kept in ponds or lagoons near waterways. When coal is burned several heavy metals, including arsenic are left in the ash. Under an Obama Administration rule, energy companies were required to study and disclose to the public any possible groundwater contamination that may result from leaking coal ash ponds.
In Indiana, every ground water test near coal ash ponds and lagoons came back with toxic heavy metals in the water, in most cases, several times the recommended levels drinking water levels.
Environmental advocates with the Hoosier Environmental Council testified in D.C. against the deregulation proposed by the current EPA administration. Dr. Indra Frank is a water and hydrology expert with the Hoosier Environmental Council.