Protecting the Susquehanna River from illegal pollution

PennEnvironment joined our partner groups Waterkeeper Alliance, the Environmental Integrity Project and the Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association to announce our intent to sue the Brunner Island power plant under the federal Clean Water Act for ongoing illegal pollution along the Susquehanna River.

Toxic pollution is leaking from Brunner Island’s coal ash landfills near the river and flowing into the Susquehanna River. The Brunner Island plant generates 442,000 tons of ash and other coal waste each year, including dangerous pollutants such as arsenic, boron, lithium and sulfate. This pollution leaks from the coal ash landfills and into the groundwater, river and a nearby tributary stream.

“We simply cannot sit back and let the Brunner Island power plant run roughshod over our environment and our cornerstone environmental laws,” said PennEnvironment Executive Director David Masur.

The company has 60 days to remedy the problem and comply with the law, or face legal action by PennEnvironment and its partner groups.

Read more here.
 
Photo: A coal power plant at sunset. Credit: Shutterstock