September, 07 2010, 02:17pm EDT
Sierra Club Executive Director to Join Concerned Residents of Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana at Rally in Dallas For Protection from Toxic Coal Ash
On Wednesday, September 8th, Dallas will be the site of the latest in
an ongoing set of hearings and events concerning the under-reported
issue of toxic coal ash. Following the release of a new report
revealing more than three dozen new sites in 21 states where toxic coal
ash has made the water unsafe, the EPA has begun a series of public
hearings on new safeguards for the toxic waste. Already, hundreds of
residents from 12 states have traveled to hearings held in Virginia and
Colorado to voice their support for strong protections from toxic coal
ash.
WASHINGTON
On Wednesday, September 8th, Dallas will be the site of the latest in
an ongoing set of hearings and events concerning the under-reported
issue of toxic coal ash. Following the release of a new report
revealing more than three dozen new sites in 21 states where toxic coal
ash has made the water unsafe, the EPA has begun a series of public
hearings on new safeguards for the toxic waste. Already, hundreds of
residents from 12 states have traveled to hearings held in Virginia and
Colorado to voice their support for strong protections from toxic coal
ash. Among the concerned residents have been college students, tribal
members, faith leaders, physicians, and moms who agree with the
sentiments expressed in an editorial in this weekend's New York Times - "Coal ash is a national problem demanding a national response."
Residents from Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana plan to
testify before the EPA at the Dallas hearing from 10:00-12:00, 1:00-5:00
and 6:30-9:00 about the harmful effects of waste ponds filled with
contaminated coal ash on human health and the environment in their
neighborhoods and communities.
WHAT: Concerned residents and local activists will
be joined by Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune to rally
outside the EPA Public Hearing in Dallas to tell stories about dangerous
dumps and waste ponds filled with contaminated coal ash chemicals and
to call for the EPA to pass strong federal regulations protecting people
from coal ash.
WHO: Michael Brune, Sierra Club Executive Director*
Dr. Karen Lewis, Pediatrician
Affected residents of Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Arkansas
WHEN: Wednesday, September 8, Press Conference: 11:00 AM
WHERE: Hyatt Regency- 300 Reunion Boulevard, Dallas - Reunion Room
*Mr. Brune will be available to the media throughout the afternoon. Please contact David Graham-Caso at 858-945-2203.
GREAT VISUALS, including residents waving signs and blown-up photographs of local coal ash disposal sites.
Remaining hearings include:
- Dallas, TX September 8
- Charlotte, NC on September 14
- Chicago, IL on September 16
- Pittsburgh, PA on September 21
- Louisville, KY on September 28
For more information about upcoming coal ash hearings at these sites, please contact David Graham-Caso at 858-945-2203 or visit www.sierraclub.org/coalash.
The Sierra Club is the most enduring and influential grassroots environmental organization in the United States. We amplify the power of our 3.8 million members and supporters to defend everyone's right to a healthy world.
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