Jerry Moran: “I thank the very distinguished leader from California (Mr. Waxman). Over 30 years ago, Congress accepted the legal…”

“I thank the very distinguished leader from California (Mr. Waxman). Over 30 years ago, Congress accepted the legal responsibility to protect human health, conserve our natural resources, reduce waste, and ensure that waste is managed in an environmentally sound manner. That's the underpinning of what this argument is about. Now, every year, America generates about 61 million metric tons of coal ash and slag and about 17 million metric tons of coal sludge from utility and industrial boilers. Now, Mr. Waxman mentioned what's in this sludge and slag, and that's why we're raising this argument, because it contains all the chemicals Mr. Waxman referred to--arsenic, chromium, cobalt, lead, and mercury. In fact, it includes radioactive elements including uranium, thorium, and radium. This material is very toxic. But we also know that coal ash, slag, and sludge have a number of beneficial reuses in concrete, roads, and roofing. And EPA is not trying to ban the beneficial reuse of coal ash. In fact, EPA proposed two separate possible regulations so that you could have a robust dialogue on the most effective means of coal ash disposal. EPA wants to ensure that the ultimate decision is based upon the best available science and technical data, and is taken with the fullest public input. EPA had extensive public involvement--thousands of public comments and eight public hearings around the country.…”