MARION, Ill. - A new report from several environmental groups claims a local power plant is producing toxic coal waste. An Illinois-based environmental group, Prairie Rivers Network, is using the report to pressure Southern Illinois Power Cooperative in Marion into cleaning up its act.

Groups with the Environmental Integrity Project, Earthjustice and the Sierra club, just released a 270-page report outlining some specifics about what they believe is going on the Marion power plant.

In the report, all three groups say coal ash is being produced from the burning of coal at the site. The report says ash is airborne and makes its way into the water supply and into neighborhoods. The groups voiced concerns over the health of residents who drink the water or are exposed to the coal. Small amounts of contaminants should be fine but environmentalists say long-term the effects could be damaging. They want a more proper way to dispose of the coal ash and are hoping workers at the plant take appropriate precautions.

"This material is being created at every coal burning power plant today, said Traci Barkley, a water resource scientist with the Prarie Rivers Network. "It needs to be disposed of every day and today's the day we needs to start finding better solutions based on sound science."

Barkley is hoping new legislation is passed to better handle the dissolving of the coal.

Our repeated phone calls to the Southern Illinois Power Cooperative went unanswered.