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Commission explores testing coal ash with biochar technology
Summary
A commissioner reported a biochar company offered to test local coal ash to see if it can be converted into inert pellets or fertilizer; members agreed to investigate availability of coal ash and potential grant funding for testing.
During public-comment-style remarks, a commission member described meeting with a company developing a pelletized biochar process and said the firm offered to test coal ash samples to determine whether the material could be rendered inert and repurposed as fertilizer.
The speaker said the company requested a sample and "if you can get me, like, a gallon of coal ash and send it to me, like, we will start testing this." Members discussed whether sufficient coal ash remains locally: several said coal-ash ponds had been excavated and removed in past remediation projects, while others noted built-out lake-fill areas contain mixtures of coal ash, sand and soil that might not be suitable for the proposed test.
Commissioners agreed to follow up to determine whether pure coal ash is available for testing, to identify potential local contacts and to consider grant opportunities if preliminary tests show promise. Participants also noted that any reuse would require careful testing because of potential health and environmental risks from dust and contaminants.
The commission did not authorize testing or funding at the meeting but supported further investigation and information-gathering.
