Valmont Power Station Cleanup
From pollution to solution
The People
While regulatory agencies oversee the cleanup process, the Valmont Community Commission facilitates dialogue, shares information and addresses concerns to ensure that community voices are heard throughout the decision-making process.
The Valmont Community Commission is supported by Boulder County Public Health and the county’s Office for Sustainability Climate Action and Resilience. The agencies are collaborating closely with important partners like the Boulder County Climate Justice Collaborative (BoCoCJC), leaders of the Community Led Preparedness Training (CPT) program, The Boulder Watershed Collective and community leaders of the neighboring manufactured home communities.
This coalition emphasizes the importance of equity in addressing environmental challenges and advocating for collaboration between government agencies and frontline communities.
History
For nearly a century, the Valmont Power Station burned coal to generate electricity, leaving behind over one million tons of coal ash. This waste, buried onsite in unlined landfills, poses significant environmental risks. Groundwater monitoring has revealed elevated levels of contaminants such as lithium and selenium, threatening both the environment and public health.
In response to regulatory requirements, Xcel Energy, the owner of the Valmont site, is proposing a comprehensive cleanup plan. This plan includes pumping and treating contaminated groundwater and removing coal ash from the landfill for beneficial reuse. While these actions hold promise for long-term environmental improvement, they also raise concerns about potential health risks associated with coal ash pollutants.
Proposed Project Plan
In response to regulatory requirements, Xcel Energy, the owner of the Valmont site, is proposing a comprehensive cleanup plan. This plan includes pumping and treating contaminated groundwater and removing coal ash from the landfill for beneficial reuse. While these actions hold promise for long-term environmental improvement, they also raise concerns about potential health risks associated with coal ash pollutants.
Coal ash waste was historically disposed of in an unlined landfill at the Valmont Power Station. Under state and federal regulatory requirements, Xcel Energy is required to monitor the landfill and groundwater at the site continuously.
Ongoing groundwater monitoring at the Valmont site and several nearby properties has detected elevated concentrations of lithium and selenium above established groundwater protection standards. Lithium and selenium are naturally occurring environmental elements; however, they can potentially harm human health if ingested in large amounts.
Xcel Energy must present an assessment of corrective actions at the Valmont Power Station to address the existing groundwater contamination. Xcel Energy has indicated they propose pumping and treating contaminated groundwater and removing onsite coal ash as the leading remediation strategies. Xcel Energy will submit the finalized proposal for corrective actions sometime in early 2024.
Pumping and treating groundwater: Pumping and treating is a standard method for cleaning contaminated groundwater. Groundwater is pumped from wells to an above-ground water treatment system that removes contaminants.
Coal ash removal: Xcel Energy intends to remove coal ash waste from the landfill at the Valmont property and apply the excavated material towards a beneficial reuse project. The anticipated project will excavate and process about 85% of the existing landfill, or approximately 1.8 million tons of coal ash, over the next decade.
While Boulder County Public Health (BCPH) recognizes the long-term environmental benefits of such a beneficial reuse project, there are also important considerations surrounding the potential impact on the environment and public health. Coal ash contains various pollutants that can impact air quality and present a significant health risk when inhaled or ingested.
Terminology
To fully grasp the significance of this cleanup effort, it’s important to understand key terms such as coal ash, groundwater and beneficial reuse. Coal ash, the byproduct of coal combustion, contains harmful pollutants that can leach into groundwater, posing risks to both ecosystems and human health. Beneficial reuse involves repurposing waste materials in a manner that adds value, offering a sustainable solution to waste management.
Coal Ash – A term used to describe the waste byproducts left over after burning coal.
Groundwater – Underground water in cracks and spaces in soil, sand, and rocks.
CDPHE – The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is a state regulatory agency responsible for protecting public health and the environment throughout Colorado.
EPA – The Environmental Protection Agency is a federal regulatory agency responsible for protecting human health and the environment nationwide.
Beneficial Reuse – Reusing a waste material that would otherwise be discarded in a manner that makes it a valuable commodity.
Lithium – Please see the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Fact Sheet link.
Selenium – Please see the linked Environmental Protection Agency Fact Sheet.
Public Comment Period – The time the public must submit input before a regulatory agency decides on a proposed rule or permit.
What We Can All Do
As the Valmont Power Plant cleanup progresses, Boulder residents have an opportunity to make their voices heard. Engaging in the public comment period allows individuals to provide input on the proposed cleanup strategies, ensuring that community concerns are taken into account. Additionally, residents can participate in community-led efforts to promote environmental justice, working toward inclusive solutions that benefit all members of the community.
There will be various public comment periods hosted by the Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment on the different reports that Xcel Energy provides to the state. The Valmont Community Commission is preparing for these public comments — the first of which is anticipated by the end of this summer — by connecting with third-party experts and maintaining communication with Boulder County Public Health. The Valmont Community Commission meets about once a month. County-presented public meetings and questions can be found at bouldercounty.gov/environment/water/valmont-station.
The cleanup of coal ash at the Valmont Power Station represents a critical step toward environmental justice in Boulder. By actively engaging with this issue and partnering with organizations like BoCoCJC, the Valmont Community Commission and the CPT program, residents can contribute to a more sustainable future for their community.
Through collaboration, dialogue and advocacy, Boulder can set an example for cities everywhere, demonstrating the power of grassroots activism in addressing climate challenges. Let us seize this opportunity to create positive change and build a healthier, more equitable world for future generations.
Boulder County is ready to support the community with resources, procedural equity, planning, and implementation processes. In the spirit of collaboration, we invite our community leaders to co-create and co-lead these community engagement efforts.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) announced the start of the public comment period for the Assessment of Corrective Measures Report for the Valmont Power Station, located at 1800 North 63rd Street, Boulder, CO.
The public is encouraged to review the Assessment of Corrective Measures Report and provide feedback on the proposed cleanup solutions. The comment period is open until Nov. 20, 2024. Comments can be submitted by email to Taylor Pierce at taylor.pierce@state.co.us, or by mail to:
Taylor Pierce
CDPHE/HMWMD
4300 Cherry Creek Drive South
Denver, CO 80246
The Assessment of Corrective Measures Report is available for review on CDPHE. Portions of the report have been translated into Spanish, and interpretation services can be requested directly from CDPHE by Oct. 25, 2024.
To learn more about this process and to get involved, please reach out to our staff:
- Marianne Shiple – Climate Justice Program Coordinator (BCPH)
- Marina La Grave – Climate Equity Specialist at the Office of Sustainability, Climate Action, and Resiliency (OSCAR)
- Questions? Please email ValmontStation@bouldercounty.gov.
You can also view Xcel’s Valmont Station Action Plan on their web site.
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