Burning coal is dirty business. This special report explains how clean air has come at the cost of dirty water and why coal-fired power plant wastewater is poorly regulated. See links below to stories.

Dec. 15, 2009

Great Lakes states spotty on coal limits; some water contaminants ignored. The United States Environmental Protection Agency is pushing coal-fired power plants to clean-up or eliminate waste they put in waterways.

Dec. 16, 2009

Mercury limits vary for Great Lakes; may harm already polluted waters Enforcement of wastewater discharge is confusing. Here’s why.

Dec. 17, 2009

Few Great Lakes power plants even look for this toxic contaminant. Selenium, a common contaminant in coal plant wastewater, causes deformities in ducks and fish.

Dec. 18, 2009

Cleaning up air could harm quality of water Coal-fired power plants install scrubbers to clean air emissions. But sometimes that means the pollution goes into the water instead of the air.