Energy

Opinion: Is half a loaf of bread better than none?

Many of my blog posts notwithstanding I root for big-agriculture. I want them to succeed. At heart, I am a pragmatist that realizes big ag must be part of any solution to feed the world's growing population. But having said that there are specific things I believe big ag must do as part of its cor

By Dave Dickey, Columnist

/ 12 Dec 2018

Report shows toxic contamination at coal ash sites throughout Illinois

A new report published by several state environmental groups shows severe pollution of groundwater at nearly every known coal ash storage site in Illinois. The report states that groundwater tests show unsafe levels of toxic chemicals and heavy metals at 22 of 24 Illinois coal-fired power plants. Th

By Jack Brighton

/ 30 Nov 2018

Andrew Rehn of the Prairie Rivers Network presents the report 'Cap and Run: Toxic Coal Ash Left Behind by Big Polluters Threa

Iowa Taking Next Steps For Wind Power Storage

As one of the nation’s leading producers of wind energy, Iowa has abundant — but also sporadic — energy resources. State officials see huge potential for batteries to help make the most of its wind and solar generation, and they hope to test it with a new grant-funded project.

By Karen Uhlenhuth/Midwest Energy News

/ 4 Oct 2018

Iowa Taking Next Steps For Wind Power Storage

The impact of a coal ash spill on the Middle Fork

A catastrophic failure of the riverbank could overwhelm the Middle Fork with more than 666 million gallons of toxic coal ash for many miles downstream. The spill would impact the environment, human health, and the economy of the region.

By Jack Brighton

/ 18 Sep 2018

Toxic coal ash in the Emory River after the TVA spill

The costs of closing a coal ash waste site

At Dynegy's coal ash ponds at the Vermilion Power Station, toxic pollution is already impacting groundwater and the Middle Fork River. The company is preparing several options for completely closing the site, including removing the coal ash, or simply capping the ponds and leaving the coal ash in pl

By Jack Brighton

/ 18 Sep 2018

A diagram of the Vermilion Power Station coal ash ponds and the Middle Fork River

The coal ash problem

In 2016 U.S. coal plants produced 107 million tons of coal ash. About 60 million tons were reused for industrial products like cement and construction materials, leaving 47 million tons left over as waste. That waste contains toxic chemicals and heavy metals dangerous to human health and the environ

By Jack Brighton

/ 18 Sep 2018

Coal ash spills demonstrate hazard

Damage from coal ash disposal sites has become a growing concern in recent years after several spectacular disasters. Here's what we know about the damage to human health and the environment from large coal ash spills, and the costs of cleanup, from two disasters in the past decade.

By Jack Brighton

/ 18 Sep 2018

Coal Ash: A hash of regulation

Coal ash isn't regulated in the U.S. as a hazardous waste. The Obama EPA set rules which the Trump EPA reversed. Now it's up to the courts, and the states, to resolve the confusion and prevent future coal ash disasters.

By Jack Brighton

/ 18 Sep 2018

Loose regulations allow coal ash to threaten river

Each year thousands of families boat down the Middle Fork branch of the Illinois Vermilion River below an embankment that holds back 3.3 million cubic yards of toxic coal ash sludge stored in three large ponds. Coal ash pollution is leaching into the river, and the riverbank is eroding under the pon

By Jack Brighton

/ 6 Sep 2018

Since 1955 the Vermilion Power Plant has been storing toxic coal ash in three ponds next to the Middle Fork Vermilion River n

Protecting the Middle Fork from coal ash: How long is 'perpetuity?'

Dynegy is planning to close the coal ash ponds at its shuttered Vermilion Power Station near Oakwood, Illinois. The company may propose to remove the toxic coal ash from the banks of the Middle Fork River, or cap the ponds and leave them in place. The Illinois EPA says the river must be protected "i

By Jack Brighton

/ 5 Sep 2018

Renewable Energy In Gradual Rise During Trump Administration Call For Coal Revival

Despite the Trump Administration’s ardent support of coal over renewable energy, the percentage of U.S. electricity from renewable sources continued its gradual rise in 2017.

By Paul Feldman/FairWarning

/ 8 Mar 2018

Renewable Energy In Gradual Rise During Trump Administration Call For Coal Revival

Giving away the (wind) farm

Across the windswept Midwest, wind turbine companies — often based overseas for tax shelters — have lobbied for low or non-existent property taxes rates and steep depreciation schedules. The big losers in the deal? Rural school districts that depend on those property taxes. In a multi-state reportin

By Investigate Midwest staff

/ 4 Dec 2017

Opinion: Is half a loaf of bread better than none?

Report shows toxic contamination at coal ash sites throughout Illinois

Iowa Taking Next Steps For Wind Power Storage

The impact of a coal ash spill on the Middle Fork

The costs of closing a coal ash waste site

The coal ash problem

Coal ash spills demonstrate hazard

Coal Ash: A hash of regulation

Loose regulations allow coal ash to threaten river

Protecting the Middle Fork from coal ash: How long is 'perpetuity?'

Renewable Energy In Gradual Rise During Trump Administration Call For Coal Revival

Giving away the (wind) farm

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