EPA and Springfield, Illinois, Agree to Address Coal Ash Contamination
The EPA and Springfield, Illinois, have agreed on measures to address coal ash contamination at CWLP facilities near Lake Springfield.
- By Robert Yaniz Jr.
- Jan 28, 2025
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reached an agreement with the city of Springfield, Illinois, to ensure the City Water, Light and Power (CWLP) coal-fired power plant complies with federal coal combustion residual (CCR) regulations.
According to a recent release, Springfield will address coal ash disposal issues at two ponds and a landfill near Lake Springfield and Sugar Creek—all previously used to store coal ash—under this agreement. The city ceased using the two surface impoundments in October 2023. Coal ash, a byproduct of burning coal, often contains heavy metals that can leach into surrounding environments if not properly managed.
To resolve past issues, the agreement requires Springfield to:
- Expand and correct its groundwater monitoring program.
- Address potential releases of heavy metals associated with coal ash material.
- Analyze the structural stability of the surface impoundments before closing them in accordance with federal CCR rules.
The CWLP coal-fired plant, operational since 1968, originally included four combustion units. The city retired two units in 2020 and another in 2022, leaving one active unit.
Efforts to analyze and stabilize the surface impoundments aim to reduce risk of contamination and ensure compliance with federal guidelines. By expanding groundwater monitoring, the city will provide greater transparency about potential environmental impacts in the affected areas.
For more on coal ash and the EPA’s CCR program, visit the EPA’s Coal Ash website.
About the Author
Robert Yaniz Jr. is the Content Editor for Environmental Protection.