1. United States
2. Ind.
3. Letter

Repeal the section of HB 1623 that prohibits state standards for disposal of coal combustion residuals to be more stringent than federal standards. Coal ash carries arsenic, chromium, lead & mercury. All of which are tied to cancer, heart disease, kidney and liver damage, respiratory illness & reprod. harm. With the current law, when Washington lowers its standards, Indiana drops with them. The state has found contamination above the federal safe drinking water limits near coal ash sites. If federal standards are negligent, Hoosiers should have higher standards. Repeal the prohibition on state standards for disposal of coal combustion residuals that are more stringent than federal standards.