ARTBA shows support for coal ash

 

Association challenges proposal to classify coal ash as ÔÇÿhazardous.ÔÇÖ

 

The American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) expressed its support of a bill that would prevent the plan of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to classify coal ash as a "hazardous substance," a report from For Construction Pros said.

 

According to the report, ARTBA, the absence of coal ash would increase the price of concrete while making it less durable. It will also increase the environmental effects caused by necessary improvements to be made in transportation. The association said that instead of labeling the material with a ÔÇ£negative connotation,ÔÇØ it should be seen as an important commodity. The report added that in 2008, over 12.5 million tons of coal ash was used to manufacture concrete. ARTBA added that EPA's data found that coal ash amounts to between 15 and 30 percent of the cement in concrete thereby reducing between 12.5 and 25 tons of green house emissions in the production of concrete. Data added that the use of coal ash would also lead to a reduction in oil consumption of around 26.8 to 53.6 million barrels. The association added that the use of coal ash in 2008 reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 19,500 tons in Colorado and saved $5 to $10 million annually on transportation projects in North Carolina.

The HR 1391 or the "Recycling Coal Combustion Residuals Accessibility Act of 2011," is the bill which is set to prevent the EPA from labeling coal ash as a ÔÇ£hazardous material,ÔÇØ the report said. This was introduced by Representative David McKinley.