Manchin argues against EPA regulation of coal ash as hazardous waste

Manchin argues against coal ash regulation

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin is urging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to drop plans to regulate coal ash from power plants as hazardous waste.

The EPA has been mulling the idea since a dam holding fly ash slurry at a Tennessee power plant failed in December 2008. In December, the agency put off proposing regulations while it makes changes. An EPA spokeswoman declined comment, saying there is nothing new to report publicly since the delay was announced.

The coal industry, electricity producers and coal-producing states such as West Virginia are bracing for a decision in the near future.

Manchin contends in an opinion piece being circulated by his office that the EPA would do more harm than good. Currently, about 45 percent of coal ash is recycled, ending up in everything from high-strength concrete to wallboard.

“Coal ash recycling is a multibillion dollar industry that provides thousands of truly green jobs across our country,” Manchin said. “Hastily raising its status to ‘hazardous’ could actually cause more environmental harm and place undue financial burden on countless thousands of Americans.”

Manchin also suggests the regulation would force coal-fired electric power plants to switch to other fuels, hurting West Virginia’s mining industry. West Virginia is the nation’s No. 2 coal producing state.

Spokesman Matt Turner said Manchin is speaking up to make sure the EPA separates concerns about the safety of coal ash and the safety of dams designed to contain it.

“The governor was very concerned about the safety issue,” Turner said. “I think the concern was that we have some industries in the state and also some very beneficial uses of the coal ash here.”