"North Central W.Va. is Ground Zero for Surface Mine Coal Ash"

"On the eve of a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency decision about regulating coal combustion waste as a hazardous material, mine operators are spreading the substance extensively across north-central West Virginia.

The noncombustible part of coal, coal combustion waste (CCW) is what's left when power plants burn coal to make electricity, according to the EPA. It includes fly ash, boiler slag and scrubber residues.

Following the December 2008 CCW slurry spill that covered 300 acres in Kingston, Tenn., West Virginians learned of 20 such wet slurry impoundments in this state."

Pam Kasey reports for the WV State Journal January 28, 2010.

Source: WV State Journal, 01/28/2010