The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently established an emissions standard for a new subcategory of six small coal-refuse power plants under the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS).
Several Pennsylvania lawmakers have applauded the move.
“Coal refuse” refers to piles of low-quality coal mixed with rock, clay, and other material that are found near abandoned coal mines. The land is often reclaimed and redeveloped for other uses.
MATS established acid gas emission standards for coal-fired power plants. The EPA ruled there are acid gas hazardous air pollutant emissions differences between plants burning eastern bituminous coal refuse and those using other coal types.
The new subcategory applies to six plants burning eastern bituminous coal refuse in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The EPA does not expect emissions to increase above current levels for these plants.
“This EPA rule will allow coal refuse facilities across Pennsylvania to remain operational, saving good paying jobs in the process,” U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA) said. “This is a fight I led in the Senate for several years.”
“Making it easier to remove coal-refuse from Pennsylvania communities will not only produce energy,” U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) said. “It will also allow landowners to create more parks, nature areas, and address other community needs.”