EPA requires AEP to test W.Va. coal-ash site

By BRIAN FARKAS Associated Press Writer

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said Thursday it is requiring American Electric Power to conduct safety tests on waste impoundments at a West Virginia coal-burning plant to ensure their structural stability.

Although the impoundments at the Philip Sporn plant aren't considered an immediate failure risk, EPA said it was requiring the tests because the structures have similar designs to one that failed last December in Tennessee.

The agency said it wants AEP to conduct two tests to determine the stability of the impoundments' foundations and walls.

AEP operates a 12.2-acre bottom-ash pond and a 60.5-acre fly-ash pond to hold wastes created by burning coal at the Mason County power plant. Philip Sporn is along the Ohio River next to AEP's Mountaineer plant. That plant also operates a fly-ash impoundment, but it isn't part of Thursday's action.

"We think some of these studies have already been performed ... and we'll submit those to EPA," utility spokeswoman Jeri Matheney said. "We'll do any additional studies as needed to satisfy their request."

Matheney said the impoundments underwent an independent review in February, a state Department of Environmental Protection inspection in March and company inspection in August. A structural integrity and safety review ordered during the state inspection was completed in May, she said.

Brian Long with the DEP's Dam Safety Office said the fly-ash pond inspection revealed slippage on both the east and west walls and areas of seepage at the impoundment's north end.

Long said his office is currently reviewing AEP's plans to address those areas.

EPA said Thursday's action is based on a national review of coal-ash ponds following the Dec. 22 failure of an impoundment operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority. An earthen dike holding back a 65-foot-tall mountain of water-covered ash breached, sending some 5.4 million cubic yards of ash and sludge into a lakeside neighborhood and the Emory River. TVA expects the cleanup will take three or more years and cost $1 billion.

EPA said ash is used in West Virginia to create and increase the height of the walls surrounding the impoundments.

In June, EPA announced it would look at 44 coal-ash impoundments. The agency said Thursday it has finished reviewing half of them. The Philip Sporn impoundments are among 18 in West Virginia, Long said.