[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 162 (Wednesday, October 26, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1944]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           H.R. 2273, COAL RESIDUALS REUSE AND MANAGEMENT ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 26, 2011

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 2273, the 
Coal Residuals Reuse and Management Act. This bill represents yet 
another attempt by Republicans to put the interests of polluters ahead 
of public health and the well-being of our communities.
  Despite the catastrophe of the Tennessee Valley coal ash spill in 
2008, Republicans refuse to allow any meaningful oversight of coal 
companies. The Tennessee Valley disaster released more than one billion 
gallons of toxic sludge, flooding hundreds of acres of land and 
destroying numerous homes and farms. EPA needs the authority to require 
coal companies to have preventative measures that ensure we do not bury 
entire communities under toxic sludge. H.R. 2273 would prevent EPA from 
coming up with even minimal nationwide standards for toxic coal ash.
  Minnesota has historically been highly dependent on coal. Thanks to 
one of the most stringent renewable energy standards in the country 
that requires 25% of our energy comes from renewable resources by 2025, 
we are beginning to transition to a clean energy economy. But we are 
still dealing with the legacy of coal ash.
  Statewide, Minnesota has 15 coal ash ponds over 30 years old. One 
plant in St. Paul, the High Bridge Generating Plant, burned coal since 
1923 before converting to natural gas in 2007. The ponds can contain 
high concentrations of arsenic, mercury, lead and other toxic 
chemicals. It is unimaginable that Republicans now want coal ash to 
have less stringent regulations than those required for our household 
disposable trash.
  EPA has spent three years looking at how best to regulate coal ash 
working with citizens, local community officials and industry. EPA 
needs to now be allowed to do its job in determining how best to 
protect the public health. This bill is an unnecessary and harmful 
intrusion into that process. I urge my colleagues to learn from the 
Tennessee Valley tragedy and oppose this bill.

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