The last thing we need in Pickens County is a coal ash dump. But it seems we’re in danger of acquiring one. On the face of things, it appears that there’s been some subterfuge on the part of the company proposing the project, as there was nothing about disposing of coal ash in the initial proposal.

Coal ash contains substances that can contaminate ground water and subsequently constitute a public health hazard. To date, seepage from 300 coal ash dumps has contaminated drinking water.

Arsenic, mercury and lead are three of the substances in coal ash. All three cause major problems in both humans and wildlife.

No amount of lead consumption is acceptable. Certain levels of arsenic and mercury can cause cancer and heart, lung, nervous system and brain damage.

Unfortunately for us, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, “Under South Carolina regulations, fly ash, bottom ash, slag and flue gas emission control waste generated primarily from the combustion of coal or other fossil fuels are exempt from regulation as hazardous waste. Regulations authorizing reuse of coal combustion byproducts, (CCBs) were drafted in 1994 by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) but have reportedly been abandoned. According to SCDHEC, it may proceed instead with reuse regulations for all industrial solid wastes, including CCBs.”

Anyone can go online and research the matter.

At this date, no public hearing has been held. It is my understanding that the permit issued the company to construct a waste disposal site near the county’s industrial park contained no language giving permission to accept coal ash. The initial permit was issued for construction waste.

I believe this is called bait and switch.

Around 70 percent of all coal ash dump sites are located in low-income communities. South Carolina already has more than her fair share.

So why compound the problem?

Experience shows us that no matter what a company claims, the risks to human life far outweigh the benefits.

On one hand, thousands of lives are put at risk. On the benefit side, a few shareholders rake in some profits. Which is more important?

A company can claim the risk is negligible. It can say if liners are properly installed, there is no seepage. But that’s a pretty big if.

Especially if the company serves as its own watchdog and there’s no real scientific oversight.

Nationwide, billions of dollars have been spent trying to make contaminated drinking water safe. Our county has already suffered countless misery from the PCB contamination of the Twelve Mile River.

It will take more than four centuries for the PCBs to break down and become harmless.

What can we do? Contact your state legislature and ask for state regulation for coal ash. If a public hearing is scheduled, make sure you know when and where and show up.

Talk to your county council representatives to find out what the county can legally do to oppose the coal ash dump.

Remember, it only takes a few minutes to make a phone call. We can’t sit back and expect other people to take care of the problem, because sometimes other people think the same thing.

I hope we can find a way to prevent this. Sometimes we can make good things happen.