Coal Ash Scares, Sickens Louisville Residents

Series produced by Louisville Public Media

Series image
Image by: Erica Peterson 

Burning coal creates coal ash. Sometimes the ash is recycled, but more commonly it's stored in a pond or landfill. In Louisville, Kentucky, residents say that ash is escaping that landfill and contaminating their homes.

In this three-part series, WFPL Environment Reporter Erica Peterson looks at coal ash storage in Louisville. At the Cane Run Power Station in the southwest part of the city, the ash is stored in an open landfill across the street from a neighborhood. Homeowners see the ash blowing off the landfill, and blame it for causing environmental and health problems. The series examines the regulations that are in place to regulate the industry, and whether or not they're adequate.


4 Pieces

Order by: Newest First | Oldest First
Caption: Smokestacks rise above Louisville Gas & Electric's Cane Run Power Station in southwest Louisville, Credit: Erica Peterson
Residents in Louisville say coal ash from a nearby landfill is contaminating their homes.

  • Added: Aug 04, 2011
  • Length: 03:34
Caption: The ash landfill, partially covered with grass, at Louisville Gas & Electric's Cane Run Power Station in Louisville., Credit: Erica Peterson
The power company tries to reassure residents that nothing is wrong. But despite problems with the current landfill, they're still planning a secon...

  • Added: Aug 04, 2011
  • Length: 03:30
Caption: The coal ash landfill at Louisville Gas & Electric's Cane Run Power Station rises above a pauper's cemetery in southwest Louisville., Credit: Erica Peterson
Though people have serious concerns about the coal ash, the power company isn't breaking the law. The EPA has yet to weigh in on coal combustion pr...

  • Added: Aug 04, 2011
  • Length: 03:32
Caption: The coal ash landfill at Louisville's Gas & Electric Cane Run Power Station, Credit: Erica Peterson
The full, 12-minute version of the story combines all three pieces into one seamless documentary.

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  • Added: Aug 04, 2011
  • Length: 12:04
  • Purchases: 1