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.

Text of Coal Combustion Residuals – Proposed Rule ~ http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/nonhaz/industrial/special/fossil/ccr-rule/ccr-rule-prop.pdf. For more information on the Coal Combustion Residuals – proposed rule, see the EPA’s website ~ http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/nonhaz/industrial/special/fossil/ccr-rule/index.htm

This Citizens for Recycling First blog post discusses the EPA’s clear support for the beneficial use and recycling of coal ash

EPA Supports Coal Ash Recycling While Issuing Regulatory Options

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency officials voiced strong support for recycling coal ash today as they formally announced that they are considering two approaches to regulating coal ash disposal.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 4, 2010

EPA Announces Plans to Regulate Coal Ash

Agency proposals would address risks of unsafe coal ash disposal, while supporting safe forms of beneficial use

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today is proposing the first-ever national rules to ensure the safe disposal and management of coal ash from coal-fired power plants.

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Update – Sept 30, 2009

Download the updated version of the “Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act“

Boxer, Kerry and nine other supporting Senators released the updated version of the (now 821 page)  climate change bill – the “Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act.”

According to this New York Times article, the release of the bill was accomplished in the midst of a “campaign-style rally.” The article also noted that while retaining the same requirements for emissions reductions as described in yesterday’s post (below), as well as maintaining structurally the same means and methods for meeting those reductions, the bill authors have now chosen to abandon the use of the term “cap and trade.” The program will now apparently be referred to as the  “Pollution Reduction and Investment” program.