Osceola County landfill to stop taking in controversial coal ash from Puerto Rico

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — A Holopaw landfill claims it will cease bringing in coal ash from Puerto Rico that was the subject of disputes and protests for months.

The JED Landfill told Osceola County officials it planned to stop taking in the coal ash by the end of the week during a packed Monday commission meeting.

"I'm so angry with what you are doing to this county," a resident said during the meeting.

County leaders said they now plan to void the contract that allowed the coal ash to be received in the first place.

Channel 9 has covered the controversy stemming from the coal ash for nearly three months.

Read more: Controversial coal ash took money away from nonprofits in Osceola County, investigation finds

On May 7, Channel 9 reporter Field Sutton asked commissioners how much they knew about the project before they voted to approve it in April.

Some county officials pulled their support six days later, but learned the landfill could sue if the county voided the contract that allowed the dumping of the coal ash.

"The current system is rigged in favor of giant corporations and against private citizens," resident Barbara Cady said.

Locals then began to protest once they learned of the plan. Those living near the landfill said they were worried because they have had issues with their water.

"We have to have filters on every house. It's the odor," said resident David Braun. "You get a lot of odor, like the egg smell."

Consultants will be back next week with another update from the landfill.

According to the CDC, coal ash can cause skin and eye irritation, respiratory problems, nausea, diarrhea and cancer.

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Cox Media Group