Petition: Just Transition Northwest Indiana
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NIPSCO Information
Response to Questions Regarding NIPSCO's Michigan City Generating Station Coal Ash Pond Closures
The following provides responses to the questions asked and not answered during our November 15th Q & A session
1. What is the depth to the bottom of the ponds? The design depths of the ponds at MCGS range from approximately 5 ft to 27 ft below ground surface depending on the impoundment.
2. When were the ponds that are on the site now first used? The current pond system at Michigan City was constructed and placed in service with the initial startup of Unit 12 (1974).
3. When did we switch the type of coal burned at the station from Indiana Coal to Powder River Basin (PRB) Coal? The conversion to PRB coal was completed in 1990.
4. How many wells are on the site? How many borings have we drilled on site? There are 39 monitoring wells currently on the station. The number of borings is a bit more difficult to determine. Please take a look at the reports on our CCR Web site (https://www.nipsco.com/our-company/about-us/our-environment/ccr-rule-compliance) or the IDEM Virtual File Cabinet {Search for Northern Indiana Public Service Company, Michigan City and then click on the link for AI ID # 11996} (https://vfc.idem.in.gov/FacilitySearch.aspx) and the reports will provide details on borings advanced on site.
5. What is the % of ash vs native material in the made land? The made-land is comprised of approximately 5-18% CCR and 95-82% native material. Also, please note the CCR content of the made-land is not evenly distributed or in distinct layers/lenses but rather non-uniform.
6. When did we replace and start sampling the wells that we expect to be destroyed during the pond closure? Post closure "new" background wells were installed in March 2021. The first sampling occurred in April 2021.
Resources & Information coal ash pond closure
Michigan City Common Council Resolution
MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS AND REQUESTS REGARDING NIPSCO’S REMOVAL OF COAL ASH FROM ITS MICHIGAN CITY FACILITY TO MAXIMIZE PUBLIC SAFETY AND THE ABILITY TO MONITOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROJECT, EXPRESS CONCERNS, AND PROVIDE INPUT TO ADDRESS THEM . Available using download link above
Coalition Comments on Coal Ash Closure at Michigan City
Coalition Letter to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) signed by: Indra Frank, Director of Environmental Health and Water Policy Hoosier Environmental Council; Tim Maloney, Senior Policy Director Hoosier Environmental Council; Bowden Quinn, Chapter Director Hoosier Chapter Sierra Club; John Blair, Executive Director Valley Watch; Natalie Johnson, Executive Director, Save the Dunes; Kerwin Olson, Executive Director Citizens Action Coalition; Jason Flickner, Director Lower Ohio River Waterkeeper; Linda Hanson and Barb Schilling, Co-presidents League of Women Voters of Indiana; Jo Ann Engquist, President League of Women Voters of La Porte County; Patty Slamkowski, President League of Women Voters of Porter County; Barb Schilling, President League of Women Voters of Calumet Area; Lisa Evans, Senior Counsel Earthjustice; Thom Cmar, Deputy Managing Attorney Coal Program Earthjustice; Jeffrey Hammons, Staff Attorney Environmental Law & Policy Center; Colin Deverell, Midwest Program Manager National Parks Conservation Association
NIPSCO To Remove Toxic Coal Ash From Ponds At Michigan City Plant
A northwest Indiana utility plans to remove toxic coal ash from five of its ponds at its Michigan City coal plant. Link
Petition wants NIPSCO to wait out COVID-19 before transporting coal ash from Michigan City
Article LINK Lots of good information. I disagree about the need to delay the removal. I am not in favor of postponing the project. In fact, I believe this is a good time to get it done, making sure all containment guidelines are followed.
During this “semi-shut down” not as many people are out, many are wearing masks. There is less traffic. Since more people will be out the warmer it gets (and the looser state guidelines get), we have the potential to have more individuals, not wearing masks, in harm’s way. In addition, the lake levels continue to rise and I believe our area has just had a record rain amount for May. The sea walls are in even more danger of being breached, spilling the toxic liquid from the ponds into our lake and drinking water.
Groundwater contamination from coal ash
New Tests Reveal 15 out of 15 of Indiana’s Coal Ash Sites Are Leaking
As new research reveals widespread contamination, pro-coal industries are pushing to weaken federal rules on coal ash and give regulatory authority back to states like Indiana, which has a dismal record on regulating this toxic waste. Link
Coal Ash Harm to Human Health
Harm to human health from breathing and ingesting coal ash toxicants Infographic