July 26, 2013 sees Congressional Record publish “COAL RESIDUALS REUSE AND MANAGEMENT ACT OF 2013”

Volume 159, No. 109 covering the 1st Session of the 113th Congress (2013 - 2014) was published by the Congressional Record.

The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.

“COAL RESIDUALS REUSE AND MANAGEMENT ACT OF 2013” mentioning the Environmental Protection Agency was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1147 on July 26, 2013.

The publication is reproduced in full below:

COAL RESIDUALS REUSE AND MANAGEMENT ACT OF 2013

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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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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 159, No. 109