This was first reported  by the Wall Street Journal on January 9, 2010 and it is far too important not to write about. According to Dr. Mercola “the U.S. government is encouraging farmers to spread a chalky waste from coal-fired power plants on their fields to loosen and fertilize soil” .

Each year, the waste left over from burning coal generates 125 to 130 million tons of ash and sludge — enough to fill a million railcars. Currently, about 40% of that waste finds it way into new products and 60% is stored in ponds or pits, mostly on utility property.

Because there is a crack down on emitting acid rain causing chemicals into the atmosphere, most of what was once launched into our air, is now being stored on land, which inevitably leaches into our soil and water. This was the case with a spill from a coal ash pond near Knoxville, TN, just over a year ago. Thus the discussion about what to do with all this by-product. According to Dr. Mercola, “while the EPA and USDA are recommending the use of this toxic byproduct on fields, the Obama administration is also in the process of drafting the first federal standards for storage and disposal of coal wastes. The White House and the EPA are currently at odds over how to handle the more than 125 million tons of coal ash and sludge waste generated each year, reports the Wall Street Journal.”

What can we do?

The only solution that appears to be emerging is to buy local. Dr. Mercola reports that it appears the use of FGD gypsum may have trickled into organic farming as well, since it’s not considered a petroleum-based soil additive, which is forbidden in organic farming. We must therefore, bring this matter to the attention of our local, organic farmers. We must make our voices heard.