Ash Disposal?

coalmeister wrote:There surely is a wide range of views on just how toxic coal ash is.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090109/ap_ ... t/coal_ash
WASHINGTON – Millions of tons of toxic coal ash is piling up in power plant ponds in 32 states, a practice the federal government has long recognized as a risk to human health and the environment but has left unregulated.

Intresting article. I can say that at the plant I worked at, both the temporary collection ponds and landfill were linered and monitored by the state pretty closely. They also monitor ground water as well.

These are important issues, but the average citizen needs to realize that with more regulation and tighter environmental rules come much, much, much higher utility bills. Take a look at what happened in Maryland after the government got involved... electric bills went up as much as 300% in some areas.

I want companies to be accountable and responsible for being good stewards in our communities but at the same time I don't want to pay for it with higher bills each month... it's a catch 22. Companies need to be profitable or they don't produce the things we need.

And with the global warming freaks seeming to gain ground there will be no ceiling to how high consumer costs will climb. Just listen to what our new pres has said during his campaign... power companies will go bankrupt, coal suppliers will go belly up, and consumers will pay more... much more.

So I take it there is no environmental hazard to coal ash?

I was reading an article in Mother Earth News about outhouses and they suggest you sprinkle wood ash, coal ash, or lime in the hole with the well...you know, to keep the odor down. Thanks Mother Earth. Now if I can only find someone who is still using an outhouse.....

I might just have to build one and introduce myself to me. I crack myself up!

mgambuzza wrote:Is there anyone here from the Syracuse, NY area? Can ash be dropped off in the regular trash? I have done some searches on the internet and some municipalities allow for ash disposal as long as it is in a separate bag. Syracuse DPWs web site really doesn't say anything about ash of any kind (although they do state about dog and cat waste).

occra is just going to burn it, threw garbage for syracuse dpw and trust me when I say we took alot worse

Maybe some genius will figure out how to mix coal ash with other material to make a "new" form of concrete or other building material! Use it for paving roads or something. As for me, my coal ash goes outside onto my gravel driveway! It'll take a lot of years of burning coal before there's any appreciable difference in the height of my driveway!!

DennisH wrote:Maybe some genius will figure out how to mix coal ash with other material to make a "new" form of concrete or other building material!

That's already pretty old already. Yanche has the formula. IIRC, coal ash and dirt with a touch of portland cement.