Public hearing to be held regarding coal-ash pond at Alabama Power’s Plant Barry
The Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) is holding a public hearing regarding the coal-ash pond at Alabama Power’s Plant Barry on the Mobile River. The hearing will take place Tuesday, March 30 at 6:00 PM at the Hampton Inn in Saraland. The Mobile Baykeeper is urging citizens to attend the meeting to oppose Alabama Power’s plan to cap the ash in place and demand the ash is moved to a safer place. The Environmental Protection Agency finalized a national rule governing how coal ash is managed and stored in 2015 Alabama Today reported the Obama-era rule provides two options for closing basins: either manage coal ash by storing it in place (closed-in-place) or excavate and move the coal ash to a new location. The EPA rule, which has been preserved by the Trump Administration, recognizes that both storing in place and removing and transporting coal ash options are viable options that provide environmental benefits. Alabama Power wants to cap the ash pit where it is, and claims they will also go beyond the 2015 minimum requirements. In 2019, Alabama Power spokesman Michael Sznajderman told Al.com, “The new plans show the company is going “above and beyond” what is required by state and federal coal ash rules, in some cases using redundant dike systems and subterranean retaining walls that extend 30 feet below the ground to prevent contaminants in the ash from reaching rivers or groundwater.” Mobile Baykeeper wants the removal of coal ash to upland, lined landfills and/or the recycling of the coal ash into concrete. Baykeeper is urging citizens to attend the public meeting and to also write letters to ADEM asking them to deny Alabama Power’s permit to cap the ash in place. Recently retired U.S. Attorney for the Southern District, Richard Moore told Lagniappe this week that he doesn’t “’feel confident at all’” Alabama Power’s plans to cap in place coal ash ponds rather than excavating them will ensure public safety and environmental health.” Moore presided over the Kingston coal ash spill in Tennessee as Inspector General for the TVA. Casi Callaway, executive director of Mobile Baykeeper told WKRG, “Too much is dependent on Alabama’s waterways for us to learn this lesson the hard way. The community needs to speak up and demand Alabama Power and our environmental agency do the right thing – move the ash.“
U.S. attorney who prosecuted former governor Don Siegelman retires
U.S. Attorney Louis V. Franklin Sr., who prosecuted former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman on corruption charges, announced his retirement Friday after about 30 years of public service. Franklin joined the U.S. attorney’s office for the Middle District of Alabama in 1990, then spent two years in private practice in the late ’90s before returning. He was confirmed as the first Black U.S. attorney in Montgomery in 2017 after being nominated by then-President Donald Trump. Democratic President Joe Biden will name a successor. Franklin led the team that prosecuted Siegelman and HealthSouth Corp. founder Richard Scrushy on bribery charges in 2006. Both men served time in federal prison. “It has been an absolute privilege to spend my career in this office, serving the people of the Middle District and working alongside so many talented attorneys and staff,” Franklin said in a statement. “I know I am leaving the office in good hands, and I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to serve in my hometown and make our communities safer for the people of Alabama.” Multiple other U.S. attorneys nationwide have retired in recent days, as is usual when the White House switches from one political party to another. Richard Moore, the U.S. Attorney based in Mobile, announced his retirement earlier in the week. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
