One of several bills involving coal ash has passed out of committee.
House Bill 93 would require public notice when wastewater is being drained from coal ash ponds into local waterways.
“Drainage of coal ash pits in Georgia is already underway so we hope this legislation requiring notice to communities moves quickly through the process,” said Jennette Gayer, Director of Environment Georgia in a statement.
Coal ash draining or dewatering, is a process in which water in ash ponds — waste from coal-fired plants — is removed prior to excavating the ash or covering the ash and leaving it in place. It is typically chemically treated, clarified, filtered and tested in several steps before being discharged into rivers, lakes, streams or other waterways.
» RELATED: Juliette residents concerned about coal ash from Georgia Power plant
Georgia Power has already begun draining ash ponds at six plant locations across the state. Discharged water is sampled monthly to be sure it meets water quality standards.
While the bill does not require advance notice of discharges, it does set a time period of no more than three days after draining begins that the state Environmental Protection Division and local governments must be notified. Public notification must follow within seven days. The owner/operator must also post public notice on the company website.
» READ MORE: Bill would require Georgia coal ash be stored in lined landfills
A similar public notice bill for coal ash pond draining passed the House and the Senate Natural Resources and Environment Committee in 2018 but never made it to a full Senate vote.
The public notice bill is just one of four bills related to coal ash this session including Senate Bill 123 that could help reduce imported coal ash, and House Bill 756/Senate Bill 297 that would require coal ash to be disposed in lined pits. The other bills have not yet come up for a vote in committee.
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