Illinois has a serious problem with toxic coal ash, the residual waste created by burning coal for energy. This dangerous material, which for decades has been stored in mostly unlined impoundments near rivers and lakes, is leaking into groundwater and/or surface water at several sites. Right now, the rules for the Coal Ash Pollution Prevention Act are being written and reviewed by the Illinois Pollution Control Board. These rules will dictate how coal ash impoundments are to be cleaned up in order to halt the contamination of our waters. But will the rule be strong enough?
The contaminants, such as arsenic, lead, chromium and boron, are neurotoxins, carcinogens and other substances dangerous to humans. At several sites across the state, these contaminants are merging with groundwater in quantities that make it unsafe to drink. At other sites, where the groundwater remains good, the leakage is contaminating surface water that we use for recreation. Rivers and lakes we cherish as getaway spots for weekend fun and relaxation may be taken away from us.
Illinois needs a robust rule for the closure of coal ash ponds for several reasons. In some cases, natural occurrences such as floods or earth tremors could cause an impoundment to breach, releasing the deadly contents into adjacent waters. Ash at the Waukegan power plant is stored near Lake Michigan. Near me is the highly valued Middle Fork of the Vermilion River, our state’s only National Scenic River, which is a victim of leaking impoundments located near the stream. How can we let this continue?
Removing and relocating the coal ash to high and dry ground, in lined impoundments where it can’t mingle with our rivers and lakes, is the best solution for Illinois. Quicker and cheaper methods may appeal to some, but the science shows they are not safe.
Concerned Illinoisans should email the Illinois Pollution Control Board at don.brown@illinois.gov before Oct. 30 to make their voices heard.
— Christine Main, Champaign
Humanitarian crisis is coming
The evidence points to the fact that we are too late to deal with climate change. The fires in California are possibly just the tip of the iceberg in what countries and the world are going to deal with in the not-too-distant future.
California is burning up while other parts of the country suffer from historic flooding and other natural disasters. The effect of climate change is going to reshape the planet and impact the lives of millions of people worldwide,
There is going to be massive movement of people escaping areas that are impacted by historic disasters that will affect crop production and result in food shortages. As a country, we must act now, mobilize our resources and get ready to handle an unprecedented humanitarian crisis.
Our focus and the focus of other nations will have to be on what is happening inside borders and less on the outside world.
— Ned L. McCray, Tinley Park
No outrage for immigrant kids?
So Republicans are calling on the Department of Justice to investigate a film, “Cuties,” not even made in the United States and calling on people to hurry up and cancel their Netflix accounts due to overwhelming compassion and concern for young girls? I can think of some immigrant children, separated from their families, living behind fences in appalling conditions, in our very own country that could benefit from a bit of that outrage and compassion.
Or, better yet, perhaps the Department of Justice could investigate the people who made that happen!
— Julie Engel, Oswego
Review of upscale restaurant
Phil Vettel said it all in the second paragraph of his review of Ever (“Restaurant able to meet expectations,” Sept. 16). It is more than just “insensitive” to write about this now.
At a time when the world, our country, our state, our city is going through horrific times; when people have no money, no homes, no food; when regular, non-luxury restaurants are going out of business, he writes about a restaurant where, for $285, you can get a 10-course meal that, to me, sounds pretty stomachache-inducing.
Insensitive? It’s shameful. Save it for another time.
— Mary Leah Prazak, Lisle
South Siders’ superstar combo
So why are the White Sox winning? They’ve got the A-Team! Abreu and Anderson!
— Philip Schwimmer, Chicago
No endorsement? He’s got my vote
The Cook County Democratic Party not endorsing Judge Michael Toomin is a superb reason to vote for him. He needs to be retained.
— Jim Smick, Schaumburg
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