A Giles County Special Grand Jury finds an Appalachian Power project to dump fly ash near the New River in Narrows is not a public nuisance, and no environmental damage has been done.
The jury heard from witnesses on both sides of the debate about the Cumberland Park project for a month and a half, before making a unanimous ruling. The jury also considered DEQ requirements on the project, and 17 inspection reports presented by the Giles Co. zoning administrator that showed the Cumberland Park project followed the DEQ requirements. The zoning administrator's office also told the jury that the project had been inspected about every two weeks since the project began.
The controversy over the project began last year, when it was disclosed that APCO would dump about 90,000 tons of the coal leftover in a New River flood plain in Narrows. APCO says its electric plant in Glen Lyn produces 200 tons of fly ash per day. Most of it is shipped to a West Virginia landfill. APCO told WSLS back in October of 2007, that the company pays $20 per ton to ship the fly ash to the landfill. APCO said shipping the 90,000 tons to the Narrows site would only cost $18 per ton, and help the company keep costs down for customers.
Also back in October of 2007, concerned citizens held a public meeting to talk about fears the project may be toxic for the area. Others were concerned about the view such a dump would create across the river from property they owned. The EPA says fly ash is not toxic waste.
APCO does not plan to use the site as a fly ash dump for long. The land belongs to the Giles County Partnership for Excellence Foundation. The foundation provides a number of services, including training young men and women to find jobs. Director Howard Spencer told WSLS back in October 2007 that the Cumberland Park project will serve as a foundation for future business.
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