Archives

Lessons learned in alternative coal ash pond closure design and construction

October 1st, 2019

By Anna M. Saindon Coal ash pond closures often face unique challenges due to location, available borrow soils and construction constraints. These challenges can lead to alternative methods of closure to comply with Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Subtitle D and coal combustion residuals (CCR) regulations. This article summarizes the construction of the first […]

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Part 2: The regulation of CCR in the United States: Geosynthetics and barriers

October 1st, 2017

As discussed in Part 1 of “The Regulation of CCR in the United States,” for the first time in decades, nationwide regulation of CCR (coal combustion residuals) surface impoundments expands the regulated use of geosynthetic materials. While the CCR Rule (2015) allows continued operation of existing CCR surface impoundments, it provides criteria for the disposition […]

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EPA to review 2015 coal ash final rule

September 22nd, 2017

On Sept. 14, 2017, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) granted two petitions to reconsider substantive provisions of the Final Rule regulating coal combustion residuals (CCR) as nonhazardous waste under Subtitle D of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). “In light of EPA’s new statutory authority, it is important that we give the […]

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Part 1: The regulation of CCR in the United States: Geosynthetics and barriers

August 1st, 2017

The regulation of coal ash (coal combustion residuals or CCR) has significantly expanded the market for geosynthetics within the United States. Further, there is interest in these regulations around the globe in every country using coal as an energy source. These regulations are the result of recent environmental incidents. The regulations call for the increased […]

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Using geosynthetics for macroencapsulation for CCR on-site clean closure

August 1st, 2017

Coal combustion residuals (CCR) have been used for many years in the construction of berms and engineered structural fill applications, including embankments for highways, dikes, and levees. However, large, unencapsulated structural fill projects have become a focus of environmental concerns due to potential leaching of metals and structural failures. Cap-in-place of CCR surface impoundments is […]

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