Archived
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Location
Lexington, Kentucky
Start Date
7-5-2026 8:00 AM
End Date
7-5-2026 8:30 AM
Description
Coal combustion residuals (CCR) present one of the most significant waste management challenges in the United States. Illinois hosts 72 coal ash impoundments at 23 facilities across 22 counties. In 2019, the state enacted Public Act 101 0171 (Coal Ash Pollution Prevention Act), followed by Illinois Administrative Code Title 35, Part 845, establishing CCR surface impoundment standards. Even with federal and state requirements, significant gaps remain in identifying management options and site-specific risks. Key limitations include: (1) incomplete understanding of ash composition and variability within and among impoundments; and (2) fragmented information on impoundment physical properties, operational status, and geological risk factors at the statewide scale. The Illinois State Geological Survey is conducting the Illinois Coal Ash Impoundment Assessment, a statewide study aiming to address these gaps. The project compiles detailed information on impoundment status, design, and risk factors not previously or consistently assembled, while documenting existing or potential mitigation measures. Partnerships with facility owners, operators, the Illinois EPA, and other stakeholders are being built to expand collaboration and data accessibility. Datasets are being developed on coal origins, generation facilities, and historical ash production. Field sampling will collect coal ash from selected impoundments for characterization and laboratory testing of beneficial use options. This project will provide a critical context for prioritizing impoundments with the potential for cost‑effective pollution mitigation and material beneficiation. It will also enhance digitally accessible datasets to support integrated statewide evaluations of geological and environmental risks. Ultimately, the compiled information will strengthen partnerships among regulators, operators, and researchers, enabling longer‑term performance testing of mitigation and utilization strategies.
Document Type
Presentation
Archival?
Archival
Included in
Energy Systems Commons, Environmental Indicators and Impact Assessment Commons, Environmental Monitoring Commons, Mining Engineering Commons, Oil, Gas, and Energy Commons, Structural Materials Commons, Sustainability Commons
Illinois Coal Ash Impoundment Assessment
Lexington, Kentucky
Coal combustion residuals (CCR) present one of the most significant waste management challenges in the United States. Illinois hosts 72 coal ash impoundments at 23 facilities across 22 counties. In 2019, the state enacted Public Act 101 0171 (Coal Ash Pollution Prevention Act), followed by Illinois Administrative Code Title 35, Part 845, establishing CCR surface impoundment standards. Even with federal and state requirements, significant gaps remain in identifying management options and site-specific risks. Key limitations include: (1) incomplete understanding of ash composition and variability within and among impoundments; and (2) fragmented information on impoundment physical properties, operational status, and geological risk factors at the statewide scale. The Illinois State Geological Survey is conducting the Illinois Coal Ash Impoundment Assessment, a statewide study aiming to address these gaps. The project compiles detailed information on impoundment status, design, and risk factors not previously or consistently assembled, while documenting existing or potential mitigation measures. Partnerships with facility owners, operators, the Illinois EPA, and other stakeholders are being built to expand collaboration and data accessibility. Datasets are being developed on coal origins, generation facilities, and historical ash production. Field sampling will collect coal ash from selected impoundments for characterization and laboratory testing of beneficial use options. This project will provide a critical context for prioritizing impoundments with the potential for cost‑effective pollution mitigation and material beneficiation. It will also enhance digitally accessible datasets to support integrated statewide evaluations of geological and environmental risks. Ultimately, the compiled information will strengthen partnerships among regulators, operators, and researchers, enabling longer‑term performance testing of mitigation and utilization strategies.
