Acid Mine Drainage

Two of coal’s pollution legacies are acid mine drainage, the waste from mining coal, and fly ash, waste from burning coal. For years, some energy companies have put the waste into wet or dry storage impoundments.

On this West Virginia Morning, two of coal’s pollutant legacies are acid mine drainage (the waste from mining coal) and fly ash (waste from burning coal). Studies show that storing fly ash with acid mine drainage can neutralize the acid, but a recent study found that the combination can be toxic. The contents depend on where the coal is mined. Jessica Lilly spoke with one of the researchers to find out more.

Environmental advocates are beginning to measure the impact after the failure of an acid mine treatment facility last week in Preston County that sent high acidic water and sediment flowing downstream for miles.The state-managed, $8.5 million treatment plant on Muddy Creek was one of the last major steps put in place to restore the Cheat River watershed. Last Thursday, a pipeline ruptured at the plant following heavy rainfall in the region.

This wasn’t the first time Dave Bassage had seen orange water gush down the hillside and into Muddy Creek.He was kayaking down the stream when the original blowout happened in 1994 at the abandoned T&T Mine Complex in Preston County.

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