Flyash Utilization and Disposal is the Subject for the Hot Topic Hour on
December 3 at 10 a.m. CDT (Chicago time)
A recent "60 Minutes" broadcast on coal ash was very distorted and did a real
disservice to our economy and environment. Coal ash was depicted as a toxic and
hazardous waste with almost no mention of its many great benefits. Actually, by
properly utilizing CCPs (coal combustion products), both the
economy/infrastructure and the environment have benefited. For example, concrete
with 20 percent and up to 40 percent flyash is much more durable and
long-lasting than normal concrete. Now the EPA is considering classifying flyash
as a hazardous waste, which would be a tragic mistake. Currently approximately
half the flyash generated by burning coal is sold for use in a variety of
applications. If EPA declares flyash a hazardous material, the utility industry
will be literally buried in mountains of coal ash instead of it being used
beneficially and will have even greater problems disposing of a "hazardous
material." This will result in a higher cost of electricity affecting everyone
and require many industries to find and utilize more expensive and frequently
less desirable substitutes.
The following speakers will address the beneficial uses of flyash, the "true"
hazards of flyash, how flyash can be disposed of safely and the situation facing
the utilities if flyash is declared a hazardous waste.
Tom Poole, CEO of Frontier GeoSciences, Inc. states "You've heard what the press
has to say about coal ash. Now it's time to see what science is really telling
us. Join Frontier GeoSciences to get the results of an exhaustive two year study
on metals leaching and availability in coal ash and CCP's."
James (Jim) Niehoff, PE, Practice/Program Leader at Golder Associates Inc. will
discuss "The Costly Consequences of an Ash Pond Failure." He will discuss the
failure of a major ash pond in Tennessee in December of 2008, including an
assessment of the possible causes, and the extent of the damage to neighboring
properties and waterways. Further information will be presented on the
challenges faced in clean-up, transportation and final disposal of the flyash in
a landfill in central Alabama.
Mark D. Rokoff, Principal Project Manager at URS Corp. will discuss "Weathering
the Storm Change - Important Changes in CCP Management Certain to Impact the
Power Industry." Although this is not the first time CCP materials have caught
the attention of the US EPA, it is certainly the most likely to lead to a
dramatic change to the industry. The presentation will focus initially on the
events prior to the failure at TVA's Kingston Plant before summarizing the
significant actions by government, organizations, and the US EPA throughout the
year. The direction will then shift to explain and address the possible outcomes
of the draft rules (based on publically available sources) and their likely
implications (i.e. the effects of a hazardous designation, etc.). Before
closing, the presentation will suggest actions to be taken by utilities and
discuss what can be expected in the near and long term future for CCP
management. However, simply stated, business as usual will no longer be business
as usual!
Ms. Ari Lewis of Gradient Corporation will present an evaluation on the safety
of CCP beneficial use. The beneficial use of coal combustion products (CCPs) not
only conserves natural resources and reduces the need for disposal, but CCPs
also improve the quality and performance of many final products. Pending changes
in CCP disposal regulation may ultimately lead to greater public awareness and
increased safety concerns regarding the beneficial use of CCPs. This
presentation will briefly summarize how risk assessment can be used to evaluate
the potential risks associated with CCP beneficial use and provide examples of
recent evaluations examining potential mercury risks from CCP use in wallboard,
concrete, and structural fill.
Tom Adams, Executive Director of the American Coal Ash Association.
To register for the "Hot Topic Hour" on "Flyash Utilization and Disposal" on
December 3 at 10:00 a.m. CDT (Chicago time), click on: http://www.mcilvainecompany.com/brochures/FGDnetoppbroch/Default1.htm.
Bob McIlvaine
President
847 784 0012 ext 112
rmcilvaine@mcilvainecompany.com
www.mcilvainecompany.com