Study Confirms WE Energies Coal Dust On Oak Creek Homes

OAK CREEK, WI — Black dust that was found covering homes, cars and playground equipment north of the WE Energies power plant has been confirmed as coal dust, according to an independent consulting firm.

The Clean Power Coalition of Southeast Wisconsin held a press conference Thursday afternoon at Haas Park, 4215 E Elm Rd., announcing the results of independent testing that confirmed coal dust samples taken by the Environmental Accountability Group (EAG) and tested by Aspen Consulting, Inc.

“This isn’t the first time this has happened. This is the first time they got caught. Coal dust blowing from the piles at these plants has been a problem for decades, and We Energies knows it. We want something done about it. We Energies won’t talk to us. The mayor won’t talk to us. We need help,” Greg Millard, Oak Creek resident said Thursday.

Coal dust contains toxic metals including lead, mercury, and arsenic. The health effects of inhalable particulate matter, include aggravation of asthma, respiratory symptoms, and an increase in hospital emissions, and increased mortality from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases and from lung cancer. There is no safe level of coal dust exposure.

In January the group sent a letter asking We Energies for additional air quality monitoring equipment to be put on the north side of the plant, in the vicinity of this neighborhood. We Energies denied this request, saying that it was not necessary.

“I used to live in Caledonia just south of the plant. Myself, my wife, and my children became very ill and after only eight years we had to move. We Energies did testing twice and said there wasn’t a problem, but when we hired someone to do independent testing, we found coal and fly ash in our house. I started EAG because it was clear that We Energies can’t be trusted with protecting our health,” said Bill Pringle, President of Environmental Accountability Group.

Dana LaFontsee, a spokesperson for the Clean Power Coalition said “This power plant is co-owned by We Energies, Madison Gas & Electric, and WPPI. We’re calling on the customers of these utilities to demand action. You might not live in Oak Creek but the dirty energy you use still impacts the people that do. These utilities must move away from toxic coal and transition to renewable energy. Lives depend on it."

The Test

Aspen Consulting, Inc. was provided with samples of black residues collected on tape. One of the samples taken from a car and also the east side of an area home was examined through the use of electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy for analysis.

Reachers determined after testing that the morphology and elemental composition of these particulates are consistent with fine sub-bituminous coal dust.

Watch Thursday's Press Conference Here

Main Image Via Oak Creek Patch, Detail Image Via Clean Power Coalition of Southeast Wisconsin