THE TIME IS RIGHT TO CLEAN UP COAL
ASH AND MOVE LAKELAND BEYOND COAL
PHOTO: MARK WEMPLE
Burning coal is one of the dirtiest and most expensive ways to power our homes
and businesses—and relying on out-of-state coal imports stunts the growth of
the local clean energy economy and limits new job opportunities for Lakelanders.
Lakeland’s own C.D. McIntosh coal-burning power plant can produce more than
150,000 tons per year of toxic waste, often called “coal ash.” This coal ash is
stored onsite at McIntosh, right on Lake Parker, across from downtown Lakeland.
Storing coal ash so close to homes and businesses is
to prevent dangerous chemicals from leaching into
especially worrisome because McIntosh already has
groundwater, which feeds local aquifers and public drinking
documented groundwater contamination. The plant lacks
water supplies.
basic protections to prevent this contamination from
In fact, high levels of arsenic have already been found
spreading. Worse, McIntosh is surrounded by sinkholes
in the groundwater right around these sludge ponds.
and is susceptible to the influence of sinkholes, which can
Lakeland’s own monitors have repeatedly found chemicals
rapidly spread the water contamination from coal ash to
typically found in coal ash in the groundwater at McIntosh.
key sources of public drinking water.
Even after the monitoring network was dramatically scaled
McIntosh is one of the largest producers of coal ash in the
back, Lakeland continues to detect toxic chemicals, such as
state. Coal ash is created when coal is burned to produce
arsenic, at levels that far exceed normal background levels.
electricity and it’s full of arsenic, mercury, lead and other
McIntosh is an unstable area that is under the influence of
dangerous chemicals and metals that pose a direct threat
sinkholes that can accelerate the leaching of dangerous
to our waterways and our health. Exposure to arsenic over
pollutants into our water. There is a sinkhole right in
long periods of time can lead to skin cancer, cancers of the
the center of the McIntosh plant and many, many more
bladder, kidney and lung, and diseases of the blood vessels
sinkholes all around the plant. The influence of sinkholes
of the legs and feet, and reproductive disorders.
can convey the dangerous chemicals from the coal ash
At McIntosh, much of this toxic waste is kept in “sludge
stored at the plant even more rapidly into the groundwater
ponds” and unlined “landfills.” None of them are equipped
on which Lakeland families and businesses rely.
That’s why, we urge Lakeland Electric to cease burning
coal at the C.D. McIntosh, Jr. power plant and to clean
up the coal ash pits posing a threat to our community.
The coal ash should be stored in a lined landfill on stable
ground. It’s time for Lakeland Electric to focus on the
health of our community, and it’s time for Lakeland
leaders to invest in the economic well being of our local
families and businesses.
MOVING LAKELAND OFF OF COAL BURNING WILL:
• Reduce Lakeland Electric’s exposure to multi-million
dollar regulatory compliance costs to bring its operation
PHOTO: MARK WEMPLE
in line with new public health and environmental
protection standards;
A new set of protections from the Environmental
• Re-direct money that would otherwise go to out-of-
Protection Agency will help clean up and reduce the
state coal imports to local clean energy investments
harmful effects of water pollution from the McIntosh plant.
that will save local families and local businesses money,
Thanks to these new water protections, Lakeland Electric
grow local jobs and property values, and expand
will now have to clean up this mess to prevent further
customers’ choices.
contamination of our water.
• Protect our community’s health and the environment
Meanwhile, Florida has vast untapped renewable
from the serious harms associated with coal-burning
energy sources that could put thousands to work1 in
pollution, including groundwater contamination,
our communities, generating homegrown power. In
increased risk of respiratory illnesses such as asthma,
fact, Florida’s sunny days put it among the country’s
and climate disruption caused by greenhouse gases
top three states for solar energy potential. Lakeland
from burning fossil fuels.
Electric’s own experts have already found that energy
Cleaning up coal ash will protect our communities and our
efficiency, solar power, and other clean energy alternatives
water from toxic chemicals.
will meet electricity demand in our region over the
next 20 years more cost-effectively than continuing
to burn coal at McIntosh.2
ENDNOTES
1 Clean Jobs Florida, http://cleanjobsflorida.com
2 See Front Consulting LLC, “Strategic Resource Plan, Lakeland Electric,” 3-13, 3-24 (Mar. 2015), available at http://goo.gl/B2BmRK.