[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 109 (Friday, July 26, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1147]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            COAL RESIDUALS REUSE AND MANAGEMENT ACT OF 2013

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 25, 2013

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2218) to 
     amend subtitle D of the Solid Waste Disposal Act to encourage 
     recovery and beneficial use of coal combustion residuals and 
     establish requirements for the proper management and disposal 
     of coal combustion residuals that are protective of human 
     health and the environment, with Mr. Bishop of Utah in the 
     chair.

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Chair, I oppose H.R. 2218, the so-called Coal 
Residuals Reuse and Management Act. There are many problems with this 
legislation. It ignores the significant public health concerns around 
coal ash, which includes potent toxins such as mercury, lead, and 
sulfur. It does nothing to ensure the safe disposal of coal ash, and in 
fact allows a state-by-state race to the bottom. Finally, it preempts 
citizens from taking legal action to protect themselves in situations 
where public health is endangered.
  I am particularly troubled by the fact that this legislation 
significantly restructures environmental regulatory authority by 
stripping the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, of its ability to 
enforce any regulations around coal ash disposal. Protecting public 
health is part of what the EPA was created to do and we must give them 
the tools to be able fulfill their mission. I strongly oppose this 
legislation.

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