What is coal ash and why is it a problem?
When coal is burned, the ash left behind contains toxic heavy metals like arsenic, cobalt, chromium, lead, radium, and mercury. See a full list of contaminants and their health effects. The problems with coal ash include:
- When coal ash gets wet, it contaminates water. Download Our Waters at Risk, Part 2.
- When coal ash is dry and gets into the air, it creates a breathing hazard.
- There is a lot of coal ash.
- U.S. coal plants generated about 5 billion tons of coal ash over the last 100 years (Source: American Coal Ash Association, 2020 CCP Production and Use Survey Report.)
- Power plants in Indiana make about 5 million tons of coal ash per year. (Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration data for 2020 – 2022.)
March 2025 Update: EPA and Governor’s actions affect Indiana’s coal ash problems
Coal Ash in Indiana
“Cleaner power sources are available and these plants were ready to stop burning coal, so the federal order is unwarranted. It creates additional air pollution, coal ash pollution, and expense for Indiana communities.” – Indra Frank, HEC’s Coal Ash
Hoosier Environmental Council’s work on coal ash receives generous support from the Energy Foundation, the McKinney Family Foundation, and the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, as well as our individual donors.
What is HEC doing about Coal Ash?
Pushing for positive coal ash reform and policy at public hearings and forums, and sharing opinions in news reports.
Advocating in congress during the legislative session. In the 2026 session we supported the proposed SB17 which sought to give local units of government the power to monitor and control air pollution in their communities.
