Coal Companies Poison Water Supply, Fight Clean Energy
Over the weekend, the New York Times published an emotional story detailing the terrifying effects of coal pollution seeping into America's water supply. As clean energy legislation makes its way through Congress, the same coal companies are leading the fight to preserve the status quo.
Coal Companies Dump Chemicals In American Drinking Water
Over the weekend, the New York Times published an astounding piece describing the terrifying effects polluted groundwater can have on American communities.
Jennifer Hall-Massey knows not to drink the tap water in her home near Charleston, W.Va.
In fact, her entire family tries to avoid any contact with the water. Her youngest son has scabs on his arms, legs and chest where the bathwater - polluted with lead, nickel and other heavy metals - caused painful rashes. Many of his brother's teeth were capped to replace enamel that was eaten away.
Neighbors apply special lotions after showering because their skin burns. Tests show that their tap water contains arsenic, barium, lead, manganese and other chemicals at concentrations federal regulators say could contribute to cancer and damage the kidneys and nervous system.
How do such high levels of dangerous chemicals end up in the American water supply?
Mining companies often wash their coal to remove impurities. The leftover liquid - a black fluid containing dissolved minerals and chemicals, known as sludge or slurry - is often disposed of in vast lagoons or through injection into abandoned mines. The liquid in those lagoons and shafts can flow through cracks in the earth into water supplies. Companies must regularly send samples of the injected liquid to labs, which provide reports that are forwarded to state regulators.
In the eight miles surrounding Mrs. Hall-Massey's home, coal companies have injected more than 1.9 billion gallons of coal slurry and sludge into the ground since 2004, according to a review of thousands of state records. Millions more gallons have been dumped into lagoons.
Meanwhile, Back Inside The Beltway
The Indianapolis Star reported on the anti-clean energy actions of the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity:
More than 40 energy and mining companies belong to the coalition, including Alcoa and American Electric Power. The coalition spent more than $30 million on advertising and public relations in 2008, primarily to spark opposition to climate-change legislation in Congress, according to the Center for Media and Democracy.
The "clean coal" coalition is also looking to recruit an "army" to rally opposition to the American Clean Energy and Security Act. Climate Progress wrote:
The new project will use 225,000 volunteers dubbed "America's Power Army." They will visit town hall meetings, fairs and other functions attended by members of Congress and ask misleading questions about energy policy.
ThinkProgress has discovered that ACCCE has subcontracted its astroturf operations to the Lincoln Strategy Group, a GOP-tied firm notorious for voter fraud. The LinkedIn profile for Lincoln Strategies staffer Courtney Forrester reveals that her employer is engaged in a massive effort to recruit supporters on behalf of the coal industry. Steve Gates, communications director for ACCCE, told ThinkProgress that Lincoln Strategy Group ran their grassroots campaign last year as well.
