The U.S. House recently passed the Satisfying Energy Needs and Saving the Environment (SENSE) Act, 231-183, which aims to ensure that coal-refuse-to-energy recycling facilities continue to operate, amid EPA regulations that threaten their existence.
Coal refuse-to-energy facilities were developed to reduce pollution and recycle waste from coal-fired plants into a cheap source of electricity. Currently,19 coal-refuse-to-energy plants are operating in the U.S., but they run afoul of two EPA rules on emissions limits.
“Through American ingenuity, coal-refuse-to-energy plants have been developed that actually use this harmful waste product to generate electricity," U.S. Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI), chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, said. "Unfortunately, there are two EPA rules targeting all coal-fired power plants that are causing some problems. The SENSE Act would allow these coal-refuse-to-energy plants to continue operating, to the great benefit to the communities where these facilities are located.”
The SENSE Act, which now goes to the Senate for consideration, was introduced by Rep. Keith Rothfus (R-PA).
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