EPA delays its decision on coal ash regulations

Posted to: Environment News
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By Louis Hansen
The Virginian-Pilot
© December 29, 2009

The EPA has delayed a decision on regulating coal ash waste from power plants, saying it needs more time to refine its new proposal.

EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson said earlier this year the agency would review and decide on new proposed regulations for coal ash, a by product of coal- burning power plants, before January. On Dec. 17, the agency released a statement saying the review would be delayed for "a short period."

Coal ash contains heavy metals that can leach into groundwater and be hazardous if ingested.

More than 400 Chesapeake residents are suing Dominion Virginia Power, developers and related companies over 1.5 million tons of treated ash used to build Battlefield Golf Club at Centerville.

The EPA's statement said the agency is still clarifying and refining parts of the proposed rule. The agency said the rule would be issued "in the near future."

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Light Rail Billion Dollar Boondogle

Submitted by lowwagecity on Tue, 12/29/2009 at 7:44 am.

The electricity used to power The Tide is generated at the Gilmerton power plant in Chesapeake. Burning coal is one of the leading causes of air and water pollution in America. Toxic air and water are disasterous to our health. The expense of Light Rail with virtually no benefit is disasterous to our wallets. Where will VB raise the $1-$2 billion dollars for such a system? Light Rail Equals Heavy Taxes.

Costly

Submitted by David Campbell on Tue, 12/29/2009 at 10:54 am.

The Tide would produce much less pollution than the alternative of the same people driving cars.

Dominion Virginia Power has already requested higher electricity rates to pay for the new $1.6 billion coal power plant in Wise County. Consumers will also pay for Old Dominion Electric Cooperative's $6 billion coal power plant in Dendron. Those costs exclude the environmental damage of mountaintop removal, carbon dioxide, mercury, and fly ash pollution.

Let’s hope the delay means the EPA is taking the time to strengthen their proposed regulation of fly ash.