Coal Ash Smell Forces Community to Act | Cincinnati News

Clermont County residents are suffering from a toxic, odor-filled nightmare emanating from a Vistra Corp. coal ash landfill still accepting waste despite its power plant shutting down last year. The smell, so severe it causes physical pain and illness, has driven some to flee their homes. After weeks of bureaucratic finger-pointing between state and federal agencies, the Ohio EPA is finally stepping in to test air quality — a move long overdue. Complaints date back to 2017, but the stench has intensified, with neighbors reporting heartburn and even suspecting the company is using air fresheners to mask the problem. Vistra blames an old sedimentation pond, but environmental advocates argue the state has the legal authority to act under air nuisance laws — and that it’s failing its duty to protect public health. Meanwhile, the landfill continues receiving sulfur-rich scrubber sludge from another Vistra plant, raising fresh questions about the company’s practices and the community’s safety. Support the show:Get a discount at https://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/38b57fa4064eacb9