The Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) have asked the Pennsylvania "state Auditor General to look at alleged dereliction of duties by two state agencies with regards to coal ash safety" ((link...)).

"'Coal ash consists of the concentrated pollutants that we prevent from going out power-plant smokestacks and it is extremely toxic,' stated PEER Executive Director Jeff Ruch." He added, "State agencies which neglect their core duties need to be called to account."

In 2008, "hydro-geologic expert, Robert Gadinski, filed a formal complaint with the Pennsylvania Department of State.... Two and a half years later, the Department has yet to act on Gadinski’s complaint."

"In addition, Gadinski prepared a detailed critique [of coal ash mine fill]

* High prospects of groundwater pollution, as well as contamination of connected surface waters;
* Generation of toxic vapors in mine shafts; and
* Underground combustion of coal ash wastes."

Read more in the PEER press release: (link...)

-- OneTahiti