Osceola County, Fla — Osceola County Commissioner said it would be OK for Five cargo ships of coal ash to be dumped in a landfill east of St. Cloud.
That adds up to more than half a billion pounds.
The unanimous decision on April 1, 2019 was made without public input or discussion.
The agreement allows the disposal of the loads, each about 65, 000 tons, at the JEB landfill located at 1501 Omni Way in St Cloud.
A Puerto Rico law passed in 2017 bars the disposal of coal ash, which is the by product of the combustion of coal at electric power plants, on the island.
In 2014, the Environmental Protection Agency classified the material as non-hazardous but notes it does contain contaminates that can pollute ground water and the air.
Officials say the site has always accepted coal ash and that the material meets all environmental standards.
They say double-lined landfills like JED are the safest way to dispose of the coal ash and it won’t be harmful to the area.
The Osceola County Gazette spoke with people who live near the landfill, and they say they are very concerned about the coal ash and the last minute addendum to add it to the counties agenda.