On Coal Ash Waste and A Dedication to Polluters

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By Jennifer Peters, National Water Coordinator

"Look what they've loaded it up," LaHood continued. "Keystone; Coal ash. None of it has anything to do with transportation."  - Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood

Coal ash is nasty. It's what's left over when we burn coal to produce electricity and it's full of dangerous, cancer-causing toxins. Coal ash is the second largest industrial waste stream in the U.S. and we regulate it less than the trash bin under our sinks. The U.S. House of Representatives will vote today on whether to block vital new protections from toxic coal ash waste.  They passed the same bill late last year, but the U.S. House in the 112th Congress has shown an amazing consistency and dedication to blocking health, water and air protections.  Our Representatives voted to overturn, de-fund, or stop commonsense environmental rules 191 times last year; that's one vote for each day the House was in session. Whose interests are they protecting? Rep. McKinley's (R-WV)  amendment to the massive Transportation bill would block EPA efforts to put some controls on this largely unregulated waste stream.  Call your Representative today and tell them to vote no on HR 2273.  You can call your Representative through the U.S. Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121 Find out how your Congress Member voted! Here are some talking points for your call:

• If your Representative voted no in October:  Thank you for voting no on this bill back in October. Can we count on the Rep for another No vote on the coal ash amendment in the transportation bill today?
• If your Representative voted yes in October: I was very disappointed that the Rep voted yes to this bill in October.  It compromises public health and the environment because it doesn't even include basic protections, like phasing out wet ponds. The chance to right that vote will come up today on the transportation bill.  Will the Rep please vote to protect the public and not polluters today?