On the recordJune 20, 2012
My colleagues, the thing that is so confusing to me is that coal ash is often used as a substitute for Portland cement in concrete to lower the costs; it reduces the waste, reduces the greenhouse gas emissions, and we don't need to pass legislation to have that happen. But I want to point out that Portland cement is designated as hazardous. It's a hazardous chemical under the OSHA Hazard Communications rule. It's a hazardous substance under the Superfund amendments. It's a hazardous substance under Federal Hazardous Substances Act, and it's a hazardous material under the Canadian Hazardous Products Act. But Portland cement continues to be used extensively in concrete and transportation projects. The EPA is not seeking to call coal ash ``hazardous.'' They want to call it a ``special waste.'' But even if they called it hazardous, why would it not be used the way Portland cement is now used, even though that substance is designated as hazardous in all these other statutes? Mr. McKINLEY. Will the gentleman yield?
