Dave Glatt, Director, North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality | www.governor.nd.gov
Dave Glatt, Director, North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality | www.governor.nd.gov
Congressmen Brett Guthrie and Morgan Griffith have announced a hearing to discuss the potential benefits of coal ash. The hearing, titled "A Decade Later: A Review of Congressional Action, Environmental Protection Agency Rules, and Beneficial Use Opportunities for Coal Ash," will focus on the use of coal ash in construction materials and its potential for remining critical materials.
"While coal has played a significant role in our nation's energy sector, coal ash also holds untapped value. From its use in construction materials, such as cinder block, to the potential for remining critical materials, coal ash is a resource that we cannot afford to waste," said Chairmen Guthrie and Griffith. They emphasized the importance of examining past regulations and addressing bureaucratic challenges that may hinder innovation in coal ash usage.
The hearing is scheduled for June 26, 2025, at 10:15 AM ET in the Rayburn House Office Building. It will be open to the public and press and will be livestreamed on the Energy and Commerce Committee's website.
L. David Glatt, Director of the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality, testified about North Dakota’s experience with coal ash regulation. He highlighted effective state measures since the 1980s for managing coal combustion residuals (CCR) and noted challenges with federal approval processes. Glatt called for reforms that respect state expertise and prioritize scientific rigor.
Glatt also discussed North Dakota's efforts to promote safe reuse of coal ash in various applications and explore its potential as a source of rare earth elements (REEs). He stressed the need for streamlined federal processes that recognize state sovereignty and support innovative utilization of coal ash.
Information from this article can be found here.
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