US government supports coal ash recycling

PCA, a representative body for America's cement manufacturers, has commented on the recently passed legislation in the US that promotes continued recycling of coal ash. The organisation has stated that it is a good decision for both the environment and the economy. 

Coal ash is a byproduct of coal-fired power plants that has been successfully recycled into concrete for decades. Previously, coal ash has been treated as a hazardous waste, which would have curtailed, if not completely stopped, recycling. However, the US EPA recently decided that coal ash should not be regulated as a hazardous waste.

New US legislation

The Improving Coal Combustion Residuals Regulation Act of 2015 confirms a recent decision by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate coal ash under the 'solid waste' provisions of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.

It is important to note that the EPAs view on coal ash could change in the future.

Benefiting both the environment and the economy

“Every year we recycle more than 17 million t of coal ash into concrete,” said James G. Toscas, President and CEO of the Portland Cement Association. “We look at this as a great success story: less waste into landfills, less cost, and better concrete. This is a classic case of US industries working together to benefit both the environment and the economy. EPA did the right thing in preserving the rules that allow this recycling, and the House did the right thing in ensuring that they continue to be preserved.”

Adapted from press release by Katherine Guenioui

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/the-americas/24072015/us-government-supports-coal-ash-recycling-215/