Steven Burns, partner in the firm’s Birmingham office and member of the Environmental & Natural Resources Practice, authored an article for Utility Dive regarding ash ponds. The article, “Ash ponds: Keep calm and close in place,” published on January 15, 2020, explores ways to evaluate proper storage and removal of ash ponds to ensure protection of human health and the environment. Steven acknowledges the current EPA’s methods for closing the sites—closure by removal and closure in place. By noting that there is no one way to close ash ponds, Steven explains that both approaches are equally protective when done properly and allow for the best closure method to be implemented by plant operators.
Steven advises clients on coal ash, waste and contamination, waterways, wildlife management, air and water quality, and natural resources. Steven serves as Counsel and Secretary to the National Waterways Conference, a trade association focused on the waterways managed by the Corps of Engineers, as well as Chair of the association’s Legislative Policy Committee. He is the lead contributor of @CCR_Source, a resource on Twitter for coal combustion residuals and coal ash news.
