Congressmen Brett Guthrie and Morgan Griffith have announced a hearing to discuss the potential benefits of coal ash. The hearing, titled “A Decade Later: A Review of Congressional Action, Environmental Protection Agency Rules, and Beneficial Use Opportunities for Coal Ash,” will examine the past decade of coal ash regulations and explore opportunities for its use in construction materials and remining critical materials.
“While coal has played a significant role in our nation’s energy sector, coal ash also holds untapped value. From its use in construction materials, such as cinder block, to the potential for remining critical materials, coal ash is a resource that we cannot afford to waste,” said Chairmen Guthrie and Griffith. They emphasized the need to address government regulations that may hinder innovation in using coal ash safely and effectively.
The hearing is scheduled for June 26, 2025, at 10:15 AM ET at the Rayburn House Office Building. It will be open to the public and press and livestreamed on energycommerce.house.gov.
Michelle Freeark from Arizona Electric Power Cooperative (AEPCO) testified before the House Subcommittee on Environment about challenges faced by rural electric co-ops. She highlighted issues related to balancing environmental compliance with affordability and reliability for 42 million Americans.
Freeark pointed out that AEPCO serves cost-sensitive rural communities where many live below the poverty line. She noted that premature coal plant closures threaten grid reliability while emphasizing coal’s role in complementing renewable energy sources like solar power.
Regarding CCR management, Freeark said that AEPCO’s Apache Generating Station complies with federal rules and Arizona’s Aquifer Protection Permit program. She criticized the EPA’s 2024 Legacy Rule for imposing costly requirements without proven environmental benefits.
Freeark called for reforms in CCR regulations, advocating for state/federal permit programs to tailor regulations based on site-specific risks. She urged Congress and EPA to prioritize cooperative federalism, cost-effectiveness, and grid reliability while supporting rural co-ops’ mission of environmental stewardship and affordable energy access.
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