Congresswoman Betty McCollum's Statement on H.R. 2273, Coal Residuals Reuse and Management Act

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 2273, the Coal Residuals Reuse and Management Act. This bill represents yet another attempt by Republicans to put the interests of polluters ahead of public health and the well-being of our communities.

Despite the catastrophe of the Tennessee Valley coal ash spill in 2008, Republicans refuse to allow any meaningful oversight of coal companies. The Tennessee Valley disaster released more than one billion gallons of toxic sludge, flooding hundreds of acres of land and destroying numerous homes and farms. EPA needs the authority to require coal companies to have preventative measures that ensure we do not bury entire communities under toxic sludge. H.R. 2273 would prevent EPA from coming up with even minimal nationwide standards for toxic coal ash.

Minnesota has historically been highly dependent on coal. Thanks to one of the most stringent renewable energy standards in the country that requires 25% of our energy comes from renewable resources by 2025, we are beginning to transition to a clean energy economy. But we are still dealing with the legacy of coal ash.

Statewide, Minnesota has 15 coal ash ponds over 30 years old. One plant in St. Paul, the High Bridge Generating Plant, burned coal since 1923 before converting to natural gas in 2007. The ponds can contain high concentrations of arsenic, mercury, lead and other toxic chemicals. It is unimaginable that Republicans now want coal ash to have less stringent regulations than those required for our household disposable trash.

EPA has spent three years looking at how best to regulate coal ash working with citizens, local community officials and industry. EPA needs to now be allowed to do its job in determining how best to protect the public health. This bill is an unnecessary and harmful intrusion into that process. I urge my colleagues to learn from the Tennessee Valley tragedy and oppose this bill.