House Prevents Hazardous Designation of Fly Ash

The U.S. House of Representatives passed AGC-supported legislation, H.R. 2273, the Coal Residuals and Management Act on Friday by a vote of 267 to 144. The bill prevents coal combustion residuals (e.g., fly ash) from being designated as “hazardous” materials.  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) designation would have limited the use of fly ash in construction. The bill  also allows for the responsible storage of coal combustion residuals to address environmental concerns while allowing its continued use in construction. Fly ash is used in concrete to enhance its performance, strength, durability, and lifespan, and has been an environmentally-responsible construction practice that reduces and recycles waste that would otherwise be unusable. AGC and the AGC co-chaired Transportation Construction Coalition (TCC) sent letters to the House in support of the legislation.  To view copies of the letters click here and here. For more information, please contact Karen Lapsevic at 202-547-4733 or lapsevick@agc.org.