MOBILE, Ala. — A massive coal ash pond at Alabama Power’s Plant Barry sits just feet from the Mobile River, holding roughly 20 million tons of contaminated residue behind an earthen dam.
Environmental advocates say a breach during a major hurricane or storm surge could be devastating for the river, the bay and the local economy. Casi Callaway, executive director of Mobile Baykeeper, said the sludge contains known carcinogens and that a large release into the Mobile River would be a catastrophe for local ecology and the regional economy. She compared the potential volume to many times that of the 2010 BP Oil spill.
Alabama Power has been ordered to close and clean up the pond, but its preferred method of handling the waste has drawn criticism from environmental groups. The utility maintains the structure is safe and reliable.