Due to the winter storm the poster abstract submission deadline has been extended to February 16, 2010.
PurposePurpose
- To facilitate the exchange of information among researchers, and coordinate site access and sampling logistics.
- To identify the priorities and gaps in current research and technology regarding the impact of fly ash in the environment.
HistoryHistory
In 2007, the coal-fueled electric power industry generated almost 72 million tons of fly ash and an additional 55 million tons of other Coal Combustion Products (CCPs)1. Nationwide, about 40% of CCP production is beneficially used in concrete and cement products, wallboard, highway construction, and other applications. Annually, TVA produces approximately 3 million tons of fly ash, 1.1 million tons of bottom ash and slag, 2.7 million tons of flue gas desulphurization (FGD) gypsum, and 0.2 million tons of other CCPs. About 40% of TVA’s CCPs are beneficially reused.
On December 22, 2008 failure of an earthen dike at the Kingston Fossil Plant led to the release of approximately 5.4 million cubic yards of impounded fly ash onto surrounding land and into the adjacent Emory River. This event most directly affected citizens living in close proximity to the plant and TVA but also indirectly impacted all coal burning utilities and other large coal users. For example, as a result of this event, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) directed plant operators and power companies to conduct on-site assessments to determine the structural integrity and vulnerabilities of all ash management facilities and to order repairs where needed.
EPA determined in 1993 and in 2000 that waste from the combustion of coal and other fossil fuels is to be regulated as nonhazardous; however, many organizations, including Congress, are urging EPA to propose new rules regulating coal combustion waste under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).
Many universities, industry organizations, and companies have conducted research on the commercial use, disposal, and environmental effects of CCPs; however, the Kingston release has focused new attention on all aspects of CCP management. It is TVA’s goal that this solicitation will facilitate the scientifically sound development of new beneficial uses for CCPs and the creation of new environmental information that will benefit TVA, the utility industry, regulators, and the public.
About the SymposiumAbout the Symposium
In its continuing efforts to address both the environmental effects of the spill and to prevent future events, TVA is sponsoring this research symposium to gather the most current research and best management practices regarding coal combustion products (CCP), most commonly referred to as fly ash. National experts in a variety of related research areas will present and discuss their research as it applies to the clean-up and remediation of the TVA Kingston site. The general sessions will present overviews in the following areas:
- TVA Kingston Recovery Status;
- Site Characterization;
- Geochemistry;
- Ecotoxicology;
- Ecological Studies; and
- Environmental Risk Assessment and Management.
In addition to the general sessions, break-out sessions will present and discuss in much greater detail research in four specific areas as it applies to the TVA Kingston site. These sessions are as follows:
- Site Characterization;
- Geochemistry;
- Ecotoxicology; and
- Ecological Studies.
Each break out session will focus its discussion specifically on the TVA Kingston Fossil Plant fly ash spill and will address the following topics:
- Evaluating current research studies to determine if they are relevant, sufficient, and pertinent in helping TVA assess and evaluate the environment implications of the fly ash spill;
- Identifying the major research gaps in the current monitoring and assessment studies;
- Determining the major obstacles and challenges associated with each of the identified research gaps;
- Assessing all the major ecological pathways; and
- Determining the factors TVA should consider in the prioritization and use of its resources.
In addition to the general and break-out sessions, researchers have the opportunity to submit poster abstracts for possible inclusion in the poster session. The criteria for the abstracts and posters may be found on the Poster Abstracts page. Although there is a registration fee of $50.00 for the symposium, the poster session is free. The time and location of the poster session can be found on the Agenda page.
The number of symposium participants and the number of posters accepted for the poster session are limited. The deadline to register is March 1, 2010. Questions about the symposium may be submitted to flyashsymposium@orau.org.
1 American Coal Ash Association 2007 CCP Production & Use Survey Results (Revised), http://www.acaa-usa.org
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