WASHINGTON — House Republicans on Friday pushed through legislation that gives the states the power to regulate coal ash from power plants as if it were municipal garbage, pre-empting pending federal regulations that could be much tougher.
The vote on coal-ash disposal was the latest of several passed by the GOP-controlled House that would shift authority away from the Environmental Protection Agency and reduce federal regulations that Republicans say are burdensome, hamper economic growth and cost jobs.
Other bills have dealt with toxic emissions from power plants, cement plants and incinerators. Like those bills, the coal-ash bill is unlikely to be considered in the Democratic- controlled Senate.
Under the bill, coal ash would have to be put in landfills that have liners to protect groundwater, monitors to test water for contamination and equipment to control dust.
The vote was 267-144, with 37 Democrats voting “yes.” The Associated Press
