Rep. Foster legislation would prevent coal ash pollution.
Rep. Foster legislation would prevent coal ash pollution.
U.S. Rep. Bill Foster (D-IL) on Thursday introduced a motion to recommit on the Improving Coal Combustion Residuals Regulation Act of 2015.
The motion would amend Republican legislation intended to deregulate coal ash disposal by requiring that coal ash impoundments be sufficient to prevent toxic levels of groundwater contamination and to protect all sources of drinking water.
"What this common sense amendment does is something I think we should all be able to agree is a good thing -- it protects our drinking water," Foster said. "My motion to recommit would require that coal ash impoundments must be sufficient to prevent toxic levels of contamination of groundwater and to protect all sources of drinking water, including but not limited to the Great Lakes."
Foster said individuals exposed to arsenic and lead can lead to physical and developmental problems.
"I think that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle can agree that we don’t want our children drinking water contaminated with lead, arsenic and other toxic compounds," Foster said. "But that is exactly what happens when these surface impoundments are not properly built, maintained and monitored."
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