Nine Democrats and 22 Republicans on the House Energy and Commerce Committee voiced opposition in a letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency over its proposal to regulate the disposal of coal ash. The EPA wants to classify the substance as “hazardous” under federal waste law, which would force industry to be more careful when dumping the waste from coal-fired power plants.

 

The lawmakers told EPA regulators their plan “could destroy jobs and increase electricity rates,” as well as “deal a crippling blow” to the recycling of coal ash into products like cement.

 

On the other hand, an investigation by The Center for Public Integrity concluded that coal ash “has poisoned water supplies, damaged ecosystems, and jeopardized citizens’ health” throughout the country.

-Noel Brinkerhoff

 

Democrats Join Fight Against Coal Ash Regulation (by Kristen Lombardi, Center for Public Integrity)

Coal Ash: The Hidden Story (by Kristen Lombardi, Center for Public Integrity)

TVA Failed to Investigate Practices That Led to Kingston Spill (by Noel Brinkerhoff, AllGov)

EPA Finally Releases List of Dangerous Coal Ash Sites (by Noel Brinkerhoff, AllGov)