Texans Offer Testimony on Coal Ash Pollution

DALLAS (AP) _ Hundreds of people at a public hearing in Dallas testified about whether ash from coal-burning power plants should be classified as a hazardous waste.

They spoke at meeting in Dallas Wednesday, one of seven hearings the Environmental Protection Agency is holding across the country.

The ash from burning coal contains heavy metals such as arsenic and mercury.

The EPA now labels coal ash as a “special waste, one that must be handled carefully.”

However, in May, the federal agency proposed changing its classification to hazardous, which would increase the amount regulation.

The Dallas Morning News reports that supporters told the EPA that such a change would protect water supplies and public health. Opponents say existing regulations are enough.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

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