Chris Van Hollen: “Coal-based power plants account for roughly one half of all electricity generation in the United States and produce…”

“Coal-based power plants account for roughly one half of all electricity generation in the United States and produce about 135 million tons of coal combustion waste annually. This enormous waste stream contains toxins like arsenic, lead and mercury that can contaminate drinking water and threaten public health--which is why the EPA is in the process of developing regulations to ensure that it is either responsibly recycled or disposed of properly. Rather than letting EPA complete its work, H.R. 2273 directs each state to create its own coal waste management permitting program, without any legal standard to ensure a minimum level of public safety. Moreover, if a state decides not to enforce the standards it puts in its own permitting program, there is little EPA can do about it. Madam Chair, as the 2008 Kingston disaster demonstrated, coal ash is dangerous, inadequately regulated, and dispersed throughout the country. In order to protect the public health and avoid a regulatory race to the bottom, we as a nation must establish and enforce a minimum federal level of safety and protection for all of our citizens. This regulation takes us in precisely the opposite direction. Accordingly, I urge a ``no'' vote. Mr. DeFAZIO. Madam Chair, in December 2008 an impoundment holding disposed ash waste generated by the Tennessee Valley Authority broke open, creating a massive spill in Kingston, TN.…”