Democrats Eye Epa Coal Waste Rules Amid State,industry Opposition

摘要

House Democratic lawmakers are backing calls by environmentalists for EPA to issue minimum standards regulating the disposal of coal combustion waste (CCW),amid strong opposition to federal rules by industry and the Environmental Council of the States' (ECOS) waste committee,which ramped up its efforts by sending a letter this month to EPA opposing the agency's ongoing consideration of CCW rules. At a June 10 hearing before the House energy and mineral resources subcommittee,Rep.John Sarbanes (D-MD) supported environmentalists who testified in favor of federal rules for CCW disposal in landfills and surface impoundments.Citing a recent issue of CCW contamination at a disposal site in his district,Sarbanes said,"I really hear a need for some kind of federal baseline" of requirements to ensure disposal of coal waste does not damage the environment or public health.