Analysis & Opinion Articles

  • New Version of Coal Ash Legislation Introduced in the House

    (Power Engineering 06-06-2013)   A new version of coal ash legislation introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on Monday sets minimum federal standards for coal residuals from coal-fired power plants, but it gives states—not the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)—responsibility for crafting their own permit programs.

  • Revised Coal Ash Bill Gives EPA an Oversight Role

    (Energy Biz.com 06-11-2013) A bill to clarify the oversight of coal ash is dusting itself off now that a compromise bill has cleared a key congressional House panel. The measure would give the states control over regulating the coal combustion byproduct but would do so with input from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

  • Bill introduced to improve coal ash residuals legislation

    (Power Engineering 06-04-2013) Newer legislation that would set up a state-based regulatory program to regulate the disposal and management of coal combustion residuals and encourage reuse was introduced in the House of Representatives on June 3. Rep. David McKinley (R-W.V.) introduced the bill during a meeting of the Energy and Commerce Committee. The Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy will mark it up later in the week.
     

  • House GOP bill would cut EPA out of coal ash regulation

    (The Hill 06-04-2013) Legislation from a Republican lawmaker would almost entirely cut the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) out of regulating the ash produced from power plants that burn coal. A bill introduced by Rep. David McKinley (R-W.Va.) this week seeks to override the EPA's proposal to regulate the ash, which Republicans say could threaten more than 300,000 jobs.
     

  • The Ancient Romans Were Better At Making Sustainable Concrete Than We Are

    (US News & World Report 06-04-2013) An ancient concrete mixture could be better for the environment and just as strong as modern mixtures. The secret to making sustainable, strong concrete may have been at the bottom the Mediterranean Sea for the past 2,000 years: Researchers believe that the ancient Romans created concrete that is more environmentally friendly and durable than modern cement.
     

  • Legislation would improve coal ash residuals

    (Electric Light & Power 06-05-2013) Newer legislation that would set up a state-based regulatory program to regulate the disposal and management of coal combustion residuals and encourage reuse was introduced in the House of Representatives on June 3.
     

  • McKinley brings back fly ash bill

    (Herald Star 06-06-2013) Rep. David B. McKinley re-introduced his bill regarding regulation of coal ash Tuesday, and he suspects the Environmental Protection Agency will support the measure as Congress considers it this time. House Resolution 2218, the "Coal Residuals Reuse and Management Act of 2013," contains provisions crafted by the Senate during the last Congress.
     

  • New coal-ash bill tackles EPA concerns

    (Seattle Post Intelligencer 06-07-2013) For two years, one of the two professional engineers in Congress has pushed a bill to let states regulate fly ash from coal-fired power plants, a move U.S. Rep. David McKinley says would benefit coal and power companies and the construction industry he's worked in since the 1960s. Each time, the West Virginia Republican's bill clears the House, only to die in the Senate.
     

  • Coal ash bill moving forward

    (Parkersburg News and Sentinel 06-09-2013) A coal ash bill introduced by a West Virginia representative was reported out of a subcommittee on Thursday. The Coal Residuals Reuse and Management Act of 2013, House Resolution 2218 introduced by U.S. Rep. David B. McKinley, R-W.Va., was passed out of a subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. It now goes to the full committee for consideration.
     

  • Compromising With the EPA

    (The Intelligencer 06-09-2013) U.S. Rep. David McKinley, who in his short time in Congress has achieved the reputation of a tireless fighter for the coal industry, appears to have accomplished something very important. If the deal he has brokered holds up, it could have enormous ramifications. McKinley, R-W.Va., tried in 2011 to get a bill on coal ash enacted.