Coal ash retention ponds are so numerous and so toxic that they are now considered to be a potential threat to national security.
Back in December of 2008, a coal ash pond in Tennessee burst its banks and flooded some 300 acres with an estimated billion gallons of toxic sludge. Now there are concerns that the nation's other 44 such sites also pose a grave threat to surrounding communities.
We all knew the problem was serious. Now it turns out that it's so bad that the public can't be informed where those sites are. According to the Huffington Post,
"the Department of Homeland Security has told Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) that her committee can't publicly disclose the location of coal ash dumps across the country.
The pollution is so toxic, so dangerous, that an enemy of the United States -- or a storm or some other disrupting event -- could easily cause them to spill out and lay waste to any area nearby."
FULL STORY: Coal Ash Spills Too Dangerous To Reveal To Public, Says DHS
State Legislation Would Make Louisiana a 'Fossil Fuel Sanctuary State'
A Louisiana state legislator who is also the owner of oil company has proposed several laws that would remove regulations for the oil industry, including one that would prevent the local and state regulation of oil and gas companies.
'Indirect Source Rule' Would Clean Up Warehouses in Southern California
Dr. Joe Lyou, CEO of the Coalition for Clean Air, walks through the legal necessity of South Coast AQMD's proposed Indirect Source Rule, which aims to accelerate the transition to zero-emission technologies and fleet electrification.
Biden Administration Hits Automotive Emissions Reset Button
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has rolled back Trump administration reductions of auto emission standards enacted by the Trump administration, and is taking first steps toward a new emissions agreement with automakers.
A New Transit Equity Dashboard
New data technology has made it possible to measure transit equity in ways that were impossible before. TransitCenter is making good use of the new capabilities.
Mapping Environmental Justice Hotspots
A new map of Virginia illustrates the stark contrasts in pollution burdens depending on location.
The Big Taboo of the Senate's Bipartisan Infrastructure Proposal
Ten bipartisan senators have proposed a nearly $1 trillion infrastructure deal with no new taxes, but it does include indexing the current gas tax of 18.4 cents per gallon, unchanged in 28 years, to inflation, thus potentially increasing gas prices.
Camiros
County of San Diego
Urban Insight
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Blakelyglobal
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Brownsville, Texas
City of Dallas
Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Hand Drawing Master Plans
This course aims to provide an introduction into Urban Design Sketching focused on how to hand draw master plans using a mix of colored markers.
