Key facts
- Xcel Energy's coal ash cleanup plan at its Valmont Power Station is under review.
- The plan aims to address groundwater contamination.
- Xcel Energy proposes a novel groundwater treatment system.
- Critics argue the cleanup may be insufficient.
- Concerns are raised about a second, older landfill contributing to pollution.
- Colorado regulators are reviewing the plan.
Xcel Energy's proposed plan to remediate groundwater contamination stemming from coal ash at its Valmont Power Station in Colorado is currently under review by state regulators. The company has put forth a novel approach involving a groundwater treatment system. However, this plan is encountering opposition from critics who contend that the proposed cleanup may not be adequate. Their primary concern revolves around the potential for a second, older landfill at the site to also be contributing to the pollution. This raises questions about whether Xcel Energy's proposed solution will sufficiently address the full extent of the contamination if the older landfill's impact is not fully accounted for. The Colorado regulators are therefore scrutinizing the proposal, weighing the effectiveness of the new treatment system against the potential for ongoing or unaddressed pollution from the older landfill.