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SW: →Coal Ash Waste and Water Contamination: section added
==Coal Ash Waste and Water Contamination==
In August 2010 a study released by the [[Environmental Integrity Project]], the [[Sierra Club]] and [[Earthjustice]] reported that Wisconsin, along with 34 states, had significant groundwater contamination from coal ash that was not regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The report, in an attempt to pressure the EPA to regulate coal ash, noted that most states do not monitor drinking water contamination levels near waste disposal sites.<ref>[http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/08/26/1793995/study-of-coal-ash-sites-finds.html "Study of coal ash sites finds extensive water contamination"] Renee Schoff, ''Miami Herald'', August 26, 2010.</ref> The report mentioned Wisconsin's [[Columbia Energy Center]] and [[Oak Creek Power Plant]] as two sites that have groundwater contamination due to coal ash waste.<ref>[http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9HRDN581.htm "Enviro groups: ND, SD coal ash polluting water"] Associated Press, August 24, 2010.</ref>
===October 2011: Oak Creek Power Plant floods coal ash into Lake Michigan===
On October 31, 2011 following a landslide, coal ash from Wisconsin Energy's [[Oak Creek Power Plant]] in Wisconsin spilled directly into Lake Michigan. About 2,500 cubic yards of ash reportedly reached the water.<ref>[http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ioHdD11iBKla3lmIFv953ZlXRD3g?docId=edc6bf55e4544552acc52d5b1f8a0715 "Officials study effects of Lake Michigan ash spill"] Dinesh Ramde, Associated Press, November 2, 2011.</ref> It was reported on November 9, 2011 that the Sierra Club was suing [[Wisconsin Energy]], alleging the spill will "pose an imminent and substantial endangerment to human health and the environment."<ref>[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45229535/ns/local_news-milwaukee_wi/t/sierra-club-plans-sue-we-energies-over-oak-creek-bluff-collapse/#.Trr7dLcTFn4.gmail "Sierra Club plans to sue We Energies over Oak Creek bluff collapse"] JSOnline, MSNBC.com, November 9, 2011.</ref>
==Study finds dangerous level of hexavalent chromium at Wisconsin coal waste site==