On Tuesday May 4, 2010, EPA started the process of federal
regulation over the disposal and storage of coal combustion
residuals, commonly referred to as coal ash. Coal ash has been
largely exempt from federal regulation, leaving oversight to
individual states. The December 2008 breach of a coal ash storage
facility and the subsequent massive spill in Kingston, Tennessee
brought coal ash storage and disposal national attention. On one
side, many people and environmental groups are calling for action
from the federal government. Conversely, many people are worried
about additional oversight and duplicative regulatory controls in
an area where state law exists. Many of the arguments against
federal regulation concern the continued ability to recycle coal
ash waste. Coal ash is used in concrete, cement, roadways, and
other materials. Both sides of the debate argue in the context of
the possible re-classification of coal ash as a hazardous
waste.
