Coal Ash Amendment To House Transportation Bill Would 'Line Industry's Pocketbooks,' Critics Say

As the House of Representatives votes on an extension to its transportation bill Wednesday, environmental advocates are crying foul on an amendment that would strip the EPA of the ability to regulate toxic coal ash and hand it over to the states. The amendment passed in a voice vote with bipartisan support Wednesday afternoon. Critics say it is yet another industry giveaway in a measure that would also approve the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline and "streamline" environmental safeguards.