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Coal Combustion Residual (CCR) Surface Impoundments
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Please send any public comments related to the Coal Combustion Residual Surface Impoundments, including those associated with public hearings, public meetings, Alternate Source Demonstrations (ASD), and other facility documents submitted to the Illinois EPA for review, to the following email or physical address of Dr. Sabrina Bailey, Community Relations Coordinator within the Office of Community Relations:
Sabrina Bailey, PhD
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Community Relations
115 South LaSalle Street, Suite 2203
Chicago, Illinois 60603-3809
(312) 832-2162
Sabrina.Bailey@illinois.gov
What are Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR)?
Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) or Coal ash is a byproduct of the combustion of coal. Power plants produce electricity by transforming coal into a fine powder which increases the surface area of the coal causing it to burn more efficiently. The fine powder is injected into a boiler furnace where it combusts at temperatures near 1,1000C or above. The stored chemical energy in the coal is released as heat and carbon dioxide and other gases are produced. This heat is transferred to tubes containing circulating water within the boiler walls. The circulating water is superheated to steam and then directed to a rotating turbine. The turbine is connected to a generator which converts the mechanical energy of rotation into electrical energy to produce alternating current (AC) electricity. During the coal burning process, the organic material is consumed, energy is released, and the inorganic materials remain as coal ash.
Coal ash is classified as bottom ash, fly ash, boiler slag and flue gas or fluid bed boiler desulfurization byproducts. Fly Ash is a fine powdery material consisting of mostly silica and other minerals. Due to its fine consistency, the fly ash is carried up the boiler flue gas stream during combustion. The bottom ash is a coarse angular material that settles to the bottom of the boiler furnace and is removed from the furnace floor. Boiler slag is molten bottom ash that forms smooth glassy pellets as it cools. Flue gas desulfurization systems remove sulfur dioxide (SO2) from flue gas forming calcium sulfite or sulfate depending on the absorbent used.
What are the Environmental Concerns for CCR?
Coal ash is an environmental concern because it has the potential to cause air, land, and water contamination. Heavy metals such as mercury, cadmium, arsenic, lead, cadmium, chromium, antimony, nickel and selenium are present in coal ash. These toxic metals can leach into groundwater when ash is stored in open ponds or unlined landfills posing a potential threat to drinking water. In aquatic ecosystems these toxic metals can bioaccumulate in fish and cause neurological and reproductive issues. During the transport or handling of coal ash particulate matter containing these metals can potentially become airborne causing heath issues.
How has the Illinois EPA Responded?
On April 15, 2021, the Illinois Pollution Control Board enacted the Illinois Administration Code Part 845 35 Illinois Administrative Code Part 845 to regulate standards for the disposal of CCR in surface impoundments as a part of the implementation of Public Act 101-171 Public Act 101-171. This established the CCR permitting program within the Illinois EPA which regulates the rules for the design, construction, operation, corrective action, closure and post-closure care of surface impoundments containing CCR both on-site and off-site at electric utilities and independent power producers. Under this rule facility owners and operators are required to monitor groundwater to ensure groundwater protection standards are met. For more information on the rationale behind the development of these rules, review the Statement of Reasons in Part 845.
What can you do to learn more?
If you would like to know more, join the listserv to receive updates on specific or all CCR Surface Impoundment sites. Listserv Sign-up
Public Notices
Illinois EPA CCR public notices are found on the Illinois EPA CCR Public Notice page. By signing up on the listserv above, you will receive public notices directly via e-mail. Notices are also posted to the Illinois EPA Public Notice Twitter account.
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Contact Information
CCR Coordinator
EPA.CCR.Part845.Coordinator@illinois.gov