Glen Hooks, glen.hooks@sierraclub.org, (501) 744-2674
Vanessa Ramos, vanessa.ramos@sierraclub.org, (512) 586-1853
Little Rock, AR - Former coal lobbyist and EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler announced another rollback of a key water toxics safeguard today a move that would allow the vast majority of coal plants across the country to dump their toxic, industrial sludge into the drinking water of millions of Americans.
In Arkansas, the rollback would allow the Flint Creek, Independence, and White Bluff coal-burning plants to continue to discharge toxic sludge into the waters of the state.
EPA’s own data show that coal plants are the number-one source of industrial toxic water pollution in the country—mercury, lead, arsenic, cadmium, selenium, and dozens of other metals that are extremely harmful to human health and ecosystems even in very small quantities. Today, coal plants are responsible for almost one-third of all toxic water pollution in the United States’ waters.
In response to the water toxics rollback, Glen Hooks, Chapter Director for Sierra Club Arkansas, released the following statement:
“Today, the Trump EPA took an outrageous step that will endanger Arkansas and our drinking water. Common sense dictates that coal companies should not be allowed to directly pollute our Arkansas waterways with dirty coal sludge--yet today’s action allows them to do exactly that. Clean drinking water is one of our state’s most precious resources, but the Trump EPA is putting it at risk by prioritizing polluter profits over the safety of Arkansans. Arkansas is home to multiple dirty coal-fired power plants that pollute our air and--with its toxic coal ash--endanger our drinking water. Today’s EPA decision will put our Arkansas waterways in peril from toxic coal ash pollution.
The Sierra Club will continue to stand up for clean water protections and the health of our communities. Today’s EPA action is dangerous, wrongheaded, and a threat to millions of Americans. We call on the Trump EPA to reverse course and live up to its mission by protecting water--not the profits of polluting corporations.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.