The Environmental Protection Agency is holding a public hearing Thursday evening about a proposed agreement to address water pollution from the illegal disposal of coal ash from Ameren’s Rush Island Power Plant.

According to the EPA, approximately 140,000 tons of ash containing heavy metals and other toxic substances contaminated Jefferson County wetlands, an unnamed tributary to Plattin Creek and a portion of Willers Lake.

Former Festus City Councilman Gregg Aubuchon spoke at a press conference held by environmental groups ahead of the hearing.

"Missouri polluters cannot dump ash into our waters unchecked," Aubuchon said. "The EPA and DNR must take steps to protect our health and quality of our water. Your household garbage is managed much more consistently than coal combustion waste."

EPA spokesperson Chris Whitley says under the terms of the agreement, the company that owns the land ― Rotary Drilling Supply, Inc. ― would put a cap over the coal ash, but do nothing to protect ground water.

“I don’t believe there’s anything in the settlement agreement that addresses lining the coal ash piles," Whitley said. "But there is capping, which would certainly prevent rainwater, or other forms of precipitation or runoff from affecting it.”

Whitley says it's too soon to say when remediation work will begin.

The EPA comment period for the proposed settlement agreement closed at the end of June, so Thursday's meeting is the last opportunity for the public to provide input.

The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the Crystal City Council Chambers, 130 Mississippi Ave., Crystal City, Mo.



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