Urge the EPA to Regulate Toxic Coal Ash

In late June, the federal Environmental Protection Agency proposed regulating coal ash to address the risks from the disposal of wastes generated by electric utilities and independent power producers. It released two proposed rules for regulating coal combustion waste, or coal ash – one under Subtitle C of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and one under Subtitle D of RCRA.  These are very different options, and one, the Subtitle D option, would leave regulations up to the states.  Montana, however, exempts coal ash from hazardous or solid waste disposal requirements.

Coal ash is toxic, containing arsenic, mercury and lead and needs to disposed of properly.

Please take a moment to weigh in on this very important issue. 

The Billings-based Western Organization of Resource Councils is making it easy to do that.  Simply log onto their website and link to the form to send your comments to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson.

You can find additional information about the dangers of coal ash at WORC’s site and review EPA’s new rules at EPA’s website.

Meanwhile, the Sierra Club and MEIC report that Senator Max Baucus and Representative Dennis Rehberg have signed onto a letter to EPA  administrator Lisa Jackson opposing EPA’s proposal to regulate coal ash as a hazardous waste.   MCVEF joins these and other groups in urging citizens to contact Senator Baucus and Rep. Rehberg and let them know you don’t agree with them, the letter inaccurately says that states are effectively regulating coal ash, and that you want them to support EPA’s efforts to protect public health and water quality.  And take a moment to thank Sen. Tester for NOT signing the letter, and urge him to support EPA’s proposal to regulate toxic coal ash.