| Dear 5849376, Yesterday, House Republicans passed their toxic coal ash bill, which prevents the EPA from implementing regulations to protect us from this toxic byproduct of burning coal. Nearly 100,000 CREDO activists have already urged their Senators to oppose this bill, and preserve the EPA's power to protect our water and health from coal ash -- but the bill passed the House with support from 39 coal stained Democrats, and the White House fell short of issuing a veto threat, possibly leaving the door open to a deal in the Senate.1 This is a moment to show strong opposition to any Senators who may be considering voting for the bill, and to make our opposition clear to environmental champions in the Senate who can work to keep the bill from coming up for a vote. Call Sens. Grassley and Harkin: Don't block the EPA on toxic coal ash Coal ash is dangerous. It contains mercury, arsenic, lead and other toxic chemicals, and piles up in massive quantities. Lacking safe ways to dispose of it, coal companies leave this sludge sitting in massive tailing ponds, the construction and inspection of which falls under state rules made dangerously lax by coal industry influence.2 Many of these poorly constructed ponds have been found to leak toxic waste into water supplies. Others have failed catastrophically, most recently in Kingston, Tennessee in 2008, where 5.4 million cubic yards of coal-ash sludge spilled into waterways and homes, resulting in a cleanup process taking years and expecting to cost over $1 billion.3 That's why the EPA has been evaluating whether to classify coal ash as a hazardous waste, which would allow the agency to regulate coal ash and enforce new rules on the way it's stored and disposed of. But Rep. McKinley's (R-WV) just-passed H.R. 2218 would stop the EPA, and prevent federal oversight of lax state programs on coal ash -- leaving water supplies across the country at risk. Make sure Sens. Grassley and Harkin know you're opposed to this toxic attack on the EPA and our health. Thanks for taking action. Elijah Zarlin, Campaign Manager
CREDO Action from Working Assets Click below for a sample script and the number to call: | 
