EPA Holding Public Hearings on Coal Ash Regulation
Thank you to our friends at OMB Watch for bringing this important issue to our attention. Your voice is needed to ensure that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets strong public health and environmental standards for coal ash, a toxic waste resulting from coal combustion. Over the past few months, the EPA has tried time and again to regulate coal ash but the White House and powerful industry interests have thrown obstacles in the agency's way. EPA proposed standards for coal ash regulation in June, but not before the White House convened dozens of meetings between EPA and industry representatives opposed to coal ash regulation. Those industries are pushing for weaker standards, calling on the EPA to put their profits ahead of your health and well-being.
Industry has had their turn to comment, now its your turn. EPA needs to hear from you that coal ash should be regulated as a hazardous waste to protect you and your family. The agency will hold seven public hearings across the country during the next five weeks. Citizens can sign up to voice concern about coal ash and urge EPA to set standards protective of public health and the environment. Fore more information on times of the hearings in your area see the list below. If one of the hearings is in your area, sign up now to secure your opportunity to speak (see below). You can also submit written comments to EPA until November 19th.
EPA Public Hearings
You can preregister for the hearings at www.epa.gov/epawaste/nonhaz/industrial/special/fossil/ccr-rule/ccr-form.htm. EPA says that preregistration guarantees speaking time. All hearings include a morning session from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., an afternoon session from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., and an evening session from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. or later.
Washington, DC area
Monday, Aug. 30, 2010
Hyatt Regency Crystal City
2799 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA, 22202
Denver area
Thursday, Sept. 2, 2010
Grand Hyatt
1750 Welton Street, Denver, CO, 80202
Dallas area
Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2010
Hyatt Regency Dallas
300 Reunion Boulevard, Dallas, TX, 75207
Charlotte area
Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2010
Holiday Inn Charlotte (Airport)
2707 Little Rock Road, Charlotte, NC, 28214
Chicago area
Thursday, Sept. 16, 2010
Hilton Chicago
720 Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL, 60605
Pittsburgh area
Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2010
Omni Hotel
530 William Penn Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Louisville area
Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2010
Seelbach Hilton
500 Fourth Street, Louisville, KY 40202
Coal Ash Background
Coal ash is a dangerous byproduct of coal combustion and can contain arsenic, lead, chromium, and other heavy metals. Reports link exposure to the toxic components in coal ash to cancer and other health problems. The toxins in coal ash can leach from landfills and surface impoundments into rivers, lakes, or streams, risking contamination of your drinking water. New calls for regulation of coal ash began in 2008 after an impoundment in Kingston, TN, failed, releasing 5.4 million cubic yards of coal ash that buried a community.
In its June 21 notice, EPA proposed two options for regulating coal ash. The first option would designate coal ash as a hazardous waste, requiring special handling, transportation, disposal, and any potential reuse. The second would regulate coal ash in a way typically only used to control less toxic wastes such as household garbage - an option that would limit EPA's responsibility and authority over coal ash management.
The choice is clear: EPA must choose the first, stronger option to ensure that communities are protected. In addition to holding hearings, EPA is accepting written comments on its options until Nov. 19.
