Admin note: We recently invited ACC member and coal combustion products (CCP) management experts, Charah, Inc. to prepare an editorial for the Coalblog and monthly member update newsletter. In this article, they describe how they beneficially used CCPs to help ensure their newly constructed corporate headquarters met LEEDs program requirements. We invite you to check out the article and Charah’s website (www.charah.com) to learn more about their offerings.

Citizens for Recycling First (CFRF) has updated its information on the EPA and its stance on coal ash recycling. In a recent blog post, they describe how the EPA has quietly abandoned its support of, and participation in, the Coal Combustion Products Partnership (C²P²) program earlier this week with a small note at the top of the C²P² page.

On May 4th, 2010, EPA proposed the first-ever national rules to ensure the safe disposal and management of coal combustion residuals from coal-fired power plants. While EPA is engaged in the rulemaking process, the Agency has suspended active participation in the Coal Combustion Products Partnership. EPA continues to believe that beneficial use of coal combustion residuals, when performed properly and in a safe manner, is beneficial to the environment.

ACC members are welcome to access the latest edition of Robert Wilson’s “The Un-Comfort Zone” in the member’s section of the ACC website. Robert Wilson’s Un-Comfort Zone is offered as special content for ACC members only.

THE UN-COMFORT ZONE by Robert Wilson

On my Honor

With the morning mist still on the Hudson River, and the sun just kissing the cliff tops of the New Jersey Palisade, Aaron Burr, Vice President of the United States shot and killed former Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton. Political opponents for years, the duelists faced each other after Burr sent these words to Hamilton: “Political opposition can never absolve gentlemen from the necessity of a rigid adherence to the laws of honor.”

National Mining Assoc. launches “Hands-on for Safety” initiative – aimed at reducing accidents and injuries to hands.

Learn more about this important program at nma.org/hand_safe.asp. You can download the “Hands-On for Safety” poster (in pdf format) here. You can also request copies of program materials on this page so that they can be integrated into your company’s safety program.

PLEASE!! Help the mining industry do all it can to make sure every miner comes home safely at the end of the work day.

If you haven’t registered for the Implementing Fuel Flexibility Strategies Conference, July 20-21, 2010 at the Allerton Hotel in Chicago, IL, visit http://www.fuelflexibility.org to reserve your seat.

Conference highlights include a Vendors Poster Session, a Networking Luncheon and a Coal Consumers’ Roundtable Breakfast. The program on “Implementing Fuel Flexibility Strategies” examines marketplace and public policy factors driving the need for fuel flexibility approaches. The program details both mandated and elective fuel flex tactics, including associated challenges and opportunities. The agenda includes a blend of presentations and case studies from technical engineering and economic consulting firms, coal power industry representatives, and public policy authorities.

Daniel Simmons, Director of State Affairs

Institute for Energy Research

Thursday, May 27th ~ 1:30-2:15 pm Eastern

To register, go to: https://www.etouches.com/12523

The Waxman-Markey energy bill (H.R. 2454) which passed the U.S. House of Representatives in June 2009, establishes a national renewable portfolio standard (RPS) of 20% in 2020 from renewable sources or increased efficiency. The Senate is likely to consider a “clean energy standard” that would include not only renewables but also nuclear energy and clean coal. Colorado recently passed legislation requiring utilities to generate 30% of their electricity from renewables by 2020. About 35 states have renewable or alternative energy standards in place.

25% Discount

Use the promo code “ACC25″ when posting a new job to receive a 25% discount

ACC Career Center

Your Source for coal industry jobs and employment information

With its focus on coal industry companies, the ACC Career Center offers its members–and companies throughout the utility, transportation, ports and terminals, energy trading, and support services industries–an easy-to-use and highly targeted resource for online employment connections.

Both members and non-members can use the ACC Career Center to reach qualified candidates.

The Cape Wind project, an offshore wind generation project proposed to be built off the coast of Nantucket Sound, has finally received federal approval to move forward after a bitter and divisive, decade-long battle. This development would be the first major offshore wind project to be constructed in the U.S. and is planned to produce energy from 130, ~400 foot tall turbines.

Citizens for Recycling First has a good explanation of how the EPA’s recent proposal on coal ash regulation still leaves the door wide open for a “hazardous” designation under Subtitle C of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).

So, it looks like we’re not done yet. The simple facts are that it’s not reasonable to designate something as “hazardous” and then expect that people will still want to use it in the construction of their offices, homes, schools, etc.

The science doesn’t support the hazardous designation; the push for a Subtitle C designation is based in politics and special interest pressure tactics. Worse, it will cause significant damage the economy, and the environment.

A new study just released by ACCCE demonstrates that the coal industry and clean coal technologies could provide many thousands of new jobs for American workers. This would be a huge boon to the economy as we rebuild our way out of the recession.

The deployment of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies at advanced coal facilities would create or support more than 150,000 jobs nationally, according to a study released today by the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity (ACCCE). The study done for ACCCE by BBC Research & Consulting found that 1.7 million job years1 of labor would be created through the construction of 124 new advanced coal facilities by 2025.