The U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate last week approved and sent to the president the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act, a comprehensive water resources infrastructure bill. Several Energy and Commerce Committee provisions were part of the WIIN Act including language that addresses control of coal combustion residuals (coal ash), an effort long championed by Environment and the Economy Subcommittee Chairman John Shimkus (R-IL) and committee member Rep. David McKinley (R-WV).
Coal ash is the byproduct of coal-fired generators and is oftentimes recycled in concrete and other products. West Virginia’s The Intelligencer. Wheeling News-Register highlights Rep. McKinley’s hard work in protecting coal ash recycling jobs and developing a plan for state regulations on coal ash, writing, “What it represents is a backlash in Congress against the Obama administration’s assault on coal and affordable electricity. McKinley deserves high commendation for taking a stand on the issue and crafting a reasonable solution."
McKinley Deserves Credit on Coal Ash
During nearly eight years in which President Barack Obama used the Environmental Protection Agency as a hammer to pound away at the coal industry and affordable electricity, precious few victories were recorded on behalf of common sense.
But there was one big one, and U.S. Rep. David McKinley, R-W.Va., deserves the lion’s share of credit for it.
One front on which the EPA went after coal and affordable power was the issue of a primary waste product from coal-fired generating stations. Burning coal produces large quantities of coal ash.
A few years ago, EPA officials revealed a plan to regulate coal ash as hazardous waste. That would have been another nail in the coffin Obama was building for both the coal industry and affordable electricity. It would have made the cost of operating a coal-fired power plant go up substantially.
McKinley fought back decisively. He pointed out coal ash is used in a variety of products, ranging from concrete to drywall. It is not a hazardous material as most reasonable people would define the term.
The EPA plan could have cost as many as 316,000 jobs, McKinley warned. It also would have driven electric bills up for tens of millions of Americans.
McKinley won EPA agreement to delay implementation of its new rules. In the meantime, he suggested a reasonable plan of state regulations on coal ash.
That plan is contained in the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act, which has been approved by the House of Representatives. U.S. Senate leaders have signaled agreement with the bill.
What it represents is a backlash in Congress against the Obama administration’s assault on coal and affordable electricity. McKinley deserves high commendation for taking a stand on the issue and crafting a reasonable solution.
Read the full article online HERE.
