Upton Declaring War on the Regulatory State

(Rep Fred Upton, Washington Times 10-18-2010) Our nation is confronted with serious problems that require a fundamental reassessment of the size and role of government. With unemployment near 15 percent in many parts of the country, an unsustainable debt and unbridled federal spending, people fear the actions of a federal government that has grown too large and hinders rather than encourages economic growth. Folks desire a government that is responsive to their concerns and responsible with the resources they provide it.

EPA on Coal Ash: Economic Fallout

(CNN 10-7-2010) Chuck Newell runs the National Gypsum Plant in Shippingport, Pennsylvania. His company makes drywall: in fact, National Gypsum's drywall could be in your home right now. National Gypsum is proudly "green." All of the drywall manufactured there is made of synthetic gypsum - a substance recycled from material taken directly from First Energy Corporation's nearby Bruce Mansfield power plant after it burns coal to make electricity.
 

‘Green’ Concrete Cuts 90pc More Greenhouse Gases Than Ordinary Cement

 (Aggregate Research 9-29-2010) Louisiana Tech University is developing geopolymer concrete, an innovative and environmentally friendly building material, with a life cycle greenhouse gas reduction potential - as much as 90 percent when compared with ordinary Portland cement.
 
Developed by Dr. Erez Allouche, research director for the TTC, and his team, geopolymer concrete utilizes “fly ash”, one of the most abundant industrial by-products, as a substitute for Portland cement, the most widely produced man-made material on earth.
 

Greening the Big Apple: how building got sustainable in the Bronx

 (The Ecologist 9-28-2010) In 2008, in an effort to raise money in the face of a crippling budget deficit, the New York City Housing Authority announced that it would sell off several acres of public land in the South Bronx. Rather than simply giving the land to the highest bidder, however, the city prioritised developments that would incorporate sustainable design and give affordable housing a modern green face.

Congressman Attacks EPA Proposal on Coal Ash

 (Aggregate Research 9-27-2010) Congressman argues on Floor of the House against EPA proposal that threatens jobs in coal, utilities, construction, and manufacturing industries 
 
Washington, DC – Congressman Alan B. Mollohan took to the Floor of the House last night to blast the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for proposing to regulate coal ash as a hazardous waste. 
 

Transportation and the Environment: Greener and Cleaner Than Ever Before

(American Road and Transportation Builders Association 9-22-2010) Through the use of new technologies, innovative project design and construction techniques, cleaner-burning fuels, and intensive recycling of waste materials, the transportation sector has been the driving force behind much of the dramatic improvement in the U.S. environment over the past 40 years.  That story, documented with recent federal government and private sector data, is detailed in a new publication from the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA).
 

Hazardous or not? The EPA should develop a hybrid model that doesn't penalize those states - like Wisconsin - that take proper care of coal ash.

( Milwaukee Sentinel 9-15-2010) The federal Environmental Protection Agency is considering two options that each would increase federal standards and scrutiny of the disposal of waste from coal-fired power plants. One option (Subtitle C in EPA parlance) would classify the waste - generally known as coal ash or fly ash - as hazardous and provide strict federal permitting and oversight of its disposal.

New EPA Regulations Will Hurt Families

(Daily Caller 9-15-2010) I had the privilege of testifying yesterday here in Charlotte, North Carolina, at the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) public hearing on their proposed coal ash regulations.
 
I wasn’t surprised to see hundreds of activists and ordinary citizens on both sides of the issue attend and voice their support or concerns to the EPA. The EPA’s planned regulations of coal ash, greenhouse gases, and other substances—set to begin in January—will impact all sectors of the economy and, in turn, all income levels.

Liveblogging The Coal Ash Hearings - Charlotte

(Charlotte Business Journal 9-14-2010)
11:12 PM Update 
The EPA panel has closed the Charlotte coal ash hearing.
Suzanne Rudzinski, acting office director for the Office of Resource Conservation & Recovery, elaborated on an earlier comment about the turn-out today.
Charlotte had the highest number of sign-ups of hearings so far Rudzinski says, but the number of speakers in attendance dwindled as the night wore on.

SIERRA CLUB SPINS TALL “TOXIC” TALE FOR EPA COAL ASH HEARING IN MILE HIGH CITY

 (Concrete Products 9-13-2010) A full-page Denver Post ad running the day prior to a public hearing on the Environmental Protection Agency proposed rule for coal combustion residuals claims: “Ignoring the risks of toxic coal ash could come at a high cost – our children.” Anchoring the ad is the image of a baby drinking from a bottle with the words “mercury, arsenic, selenium, lead” floating inside.