Epa Removes Online Fly Ash Reference, Averts Rule-Making Embarrassment

The Environmental Protection Agency has withdrawn from the epa.gov web site a section for its Coal Combustion Products Parternship (C2P2), citing re-evaluation

CP STAFF

The Environmental Protection Agency has withdrawn from the epa.gov web site a section for its Coal Combustion Products Parternship (C2P2), citing re-evaluation of a program whose 200-plus members include National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, American Coal Ash Association, and Federal Highway Administration. The abrupt removal of C2P2 content, including fact sheets and case histories on fly ash concrete practice and other proper recycled coal ash uses, apparently occurred without program partner notification or re-evaluation process explanation, notes Denver-based Citizens for Recycling First.

EPA suspended active C2P2 participation in May, coinciding with release of agency-proposed rules for regulating disposal and management of power plants’ coal combustion residuals. Formally presented in a late-June Federal Register notice, the rules suggest possible designation of coal ash as a hazardous waste whose disposal would be subject to federal guidelines. In its preliminary rule announcement, the agency stressed support for beneficial use of coal combustion residuals, including construction-grade fly ash. It acknowledged in the Federal Register notice concerns from concrete interests of a stigma fly ash could carry in the event of a hazardous waste label intended for lower-grade, impoundment- or landfill-bound coal combustion residuals.