http://www.environmentalleader.com/2009/10/30/epa-considers-labeling-coal-ash-as-a-toxic-waste-moves-to-regulate-mercury-emissions/ Environmental Leader Mon, 13 Feb 2012 17:25:03 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 http://www.environmentalleader.com/2009/10/30/epa-considers-labeling-coal-ash-as-a-toxic-waste-moves-to-regulate-mercury-emissions/comment-page-1/#comment-169622 Bill Derby Thu, 17 Dec 2009 15:00:08 +0000 http://www.environmentalleader.com/?p=26389#comment-169622 Over regulation of coal ash such as blanket determination that all ash derived from the combustion of coal is "hazardous" will create huge unintended consequenses and greatly raise the cost of electricity. A huge percentage of coal ash is currently beneficially used, such as in the production of cement. Coal ash from CFBC power plants (e.g. ARIPPA plants) is quite different than other forms of "ash" as it does not leach any toxic materials, in fact, it is an ideal highly alkaline and rich in calcium oxide material used to treat water and restore abandoned mine lands. Thousands of acres of abandoned mine land has been reclaimed thanks to "ash" from CFBC coal-waste burning power plants in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and other places. Regulators and Politicians are notoriously "un-educated" in technology and specifics. They apply "one size fits all" mentality, which has negative and costly unintended consequenses. Over regulation of coal ash such as blanket determination that all ash derived from the combustion of coal is “hazardous” will create huge unintended consequenses and greatly raise the cost of electricity. A huge percentage of coal ash is currently beneficially used, such as in the production of cement. Coal ash from CFBC power plants (e.g. ARIPPA plants) is quite different than other forms of “ash” as it does not leach any toxic materials, in fact, it is an ideal highly alkaline and rich in calcium oxide material used to treat water and restore abandoned mine lands. Thousands of acres of abandoned mine land has been reclaimed thanks to “ash” from CFBC coal-waste burning power plants in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and other places.
Regulators and Politicians are notoriously “un-educated” in technology and specifics. They apply “one size fits all” mentality, which has negative and costly unintended consequenses.

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