EPA wants data on coal ash storage sites
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - Seven South Carolina power plants owned by four utilities are included in a federal review of more than 300 coal ash storage sites.
One of the plants is owned by Columbia-based South Carolina Electric & Gas Co.; four belong to state-operated Santee Cooper; and Duke Energy and Progress Energy own the other two.
Details about the sites, results of inspections and histories of any spills or leakage have to be furnished by the utilities to the Environmental Protection Agency.
The request follows the failure in December of a dike at a Tennessee power plant that released tons of toxic coal ash, which ruined area residences and killed millions of fish.
Chances of such a catastrophe are remote, said Laura Varn of Santee Cooper.
“The walls are built with sound science, and we perform routine dike inspections and employ solid maintenance practices throughout the year,” Varn said.
About 61 percent of electric power consumed by S.C. homes, businesses and industries is generated by coal-fired generating plants.
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APS asks customers to conserve energy after recent blackouts in California
PHOENIX - After excessive heat forced rolling blackouts for thousands of people across California Friday and Saturday, Arizona Public Service Electric is asking customers to conserve energy this afternoon and evening.
“Given the extended heat wave in the western United States, APS is asking customers to conserve energy due to extreme energy demand that is driving usage higher throughout the region with today’s high temperatures,” APS said in a statement.
Tucson Electric Power has made a similar request of customers in its coverage area.
APS is asking customers to conserve energy in the following ways Tuesday until 8 p.m.:
- Raise thermostat settings to no…
