Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes each state to adopt and implement a coal combustion residuals permit program, and limits the Environmental Protection Agency's authority to regulate the disposal of coal combustion residuals.

Highlights:

• Authorizes each state to adopt and implement a coal combustion residuals permit program for the disposal of coal combustion residuals (Sec. 2).

• Requires the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to defer to the states with respect to the regulation of coal combustion residuals (Sec. 2).

• Limits the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to providing only technical assistance that the state agency overseeing a coal combustion residuals permit program has requested (Sec. 2).

• Defines “coal combustion residuals” as (Sec. 2):
• Coal combustion wastes that are produced in conjunction with the combustion of coal;
• Fluidized bed combustion wastes;
• Wastes from the co-burning of coal with non-hazardous secondary materials, provided that coal makes up at least 50 percent of the total fuel burned; and
• Waste from the co-burning of coal with materials that are recovered from mono-fills.

• Authorizes states to decline to apply one or more requirements of a coal combustion residuals permit program if the state determines that such requirements are not needed for the management of coal combustion residuals in that state (Sec. 2).

• Requires the governor of each state to notify the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency within 6 months after passage of this bill whether or not the state will adopt and implement a coal combustion residuals permit program (Sec. 2).

• Requires the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a coal combustion residuals program in a state if the following are true (Sec. 2):
• The state notifies the administrator that it will not establish a program;
• The state fails to remedy deficiencies found in its program; or
• The state notifies the administrator that it will stop implementing its program.

• Specifies that nothing in this bill shall be construed to alter the current status of coal combustion residuals as non-hazardous waste (Sec. 3).

• Exempts surface mining and reclamation operations from the provisions of this bill (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text

Full Bill Text