Sierra Club Condemns Georgia Power’s Plan to Cap In Place Coal Ash at Plant McDonough

April 4, 2025

ATLANTA - Last week, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) published a draft permit to "cap-in-place" the coal ash ponds at Plant McDonough in Smyrna, a plan that will put the health of millions of Georgians in jeopardy.

Coal ash, or coal combustion residuals (CCR), is the leftover byproduct generated from burning coal for electricity. It contains several toxic contaminants, including mercury, cadmium, and arsenic, and the chemicals in coal ash have been found to raise the risk for cancer, heart disease, and stroke, and can inflict permanent brain damage on children.

The so-called "cap-in-place" method planned for Plant McDonough simply installs a cover over the coal ash ponds, leaving this dangerous material in an unlined pit with no barrier to prevent toxic substances from seeping into groundwater below. This is especially dangerous at Plant McDonough because of its proximity to the Chattahoochee River, which provides more than 70% of metro Atlanta's drinking water.

According to a2022 report by major environmental groupsusing the industry's own data, 91 percent of coal plants pollute groundwater above federal health standards with toxic pollutants, including Plant McDonough.

It does not have to be this way: In 2024, Georgia Power unveiled its plan to safely clean up one of the coal ash ponds at Plant Wansleyby excavating and removing the coal ash to a secure location. Georgia Power has the tools to safely address coal ash contamination. The Sierra Club is calling on the utility to prioritize safeguarding Georgia's communities by implementing the same safe solution for all its coal ash ponds, including those at Plant McDonough.

Years ago, the Sierra Club sued Georgia Power in an attempt to force the utility to pay some of the costs to clean up these coal ash sites, arguing that Georgia Power has known about the dangers of coal ash for years and continued to let it get worse. The case went all the way to the Georgia Supreme Court, which declined to hear the case. As a result, Georgia Power was allowed to continue passing 100 percent of the cost to clean up coal ash ponds on to its customers.

In response, Lexy Doherty, Campaign Organizing Strategist with the Sierra Club, released the following statement:

"The Environmental Protection Division must not allow Georgia Power to leave coal ash sitting in groundwater and put Georgia communities at risk. We know that Georgia Power has the knowledge and means to safely dispose of coal ash because it has done it before. We urge EPD to do the right thing for our communities and our water resources by requiring the safe disposal of all coal ash by removal."

The EPD is accepting comments on the permit for Plant McDonough until May 30. To submit public comment, the public can email epdcomments@dnr.ga.govwith "Plant McDonough CCR Permit" in the subject line. The EPD also has a virtual public meeting about these draft permits scheduled for 6 PM on April 29. For more information, visit epd.georgia.gov/ccr-draft-permits.

About the Sierra Club

The Sierra Club is America's largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.

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