Pence Opposes Job-Killing EPA Coal Regulations PDF

Press Release

U.S. Congressman Mike Pence voted in support of H.R. 2273, the Coal Residuals Reuse and Management Act, which gives states the ability to safely implement and manage a coal combustion residuals permit program. In supporting this measure, Congressman Pence has sought to prevent the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from designating coal ash as hazardous waste, a classification that would allow for significant EPA regulation. These burdensome regulations will ultimately cost thousands of jobs and increase utility prices on Hoosier consumers.

"We must maintain the ability for state governments to regulate and utilize coal ash in a manner that is consistent with their public health, environmental and energy goals," Pence said. "This legislation will allow Indiana to create a tailored permit program that will protect the livelihoods of working Hoosier families, and it will prevent the EPA from putting in place burdensome requirements that will cost jobs and raise the cost of electricity."

Background

Coal combustion residuals (CCRs), commonly referred to coal ash, are solid waste produced when coal is burned to produce electricity. Under the current framework established by Congress through the Solid Waste Disposal Act and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, approximately 55% of CCRs are disposed of safely in landfills or impoundment pools and the remaining amount is recycled for savings of approximately $9 billion.

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act provides states and localities with the power to regulate most non-hazardous waste, including CCRs, while authority for hazardous waste is provided to the EPA. According to EPA itself, it would cost $1.5 billion annually to regulate coal ash as hazardous material. A study by the Utility Solid Waste Activities Group suggests up to 316,000 jobs would be lost, with the Midwest being the most negatively impacted region in the country. The North American Electric Reliability Corp. also found that up to 12 coal-fired electrical plants would be closed.

According to the EPA, Indiana is the third largest producer of CCRs.

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