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Current News and SEMDC Newsletters
Coal Ash News:
On June 21, 2010, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed federal rules for the management of coal ash and other coal combustion residuals (“CCRs”) produced by coal-based power plants across the country. EPA included a range of regulatory options in its proposal and is asking for public comment by November 19, 2010.
The electric utility industry and a majority of other stakeholders—including Governors, state regulatory agencies, state and local policymakers, and labor unions—support EPA’s option of regulating coal ash and other CCRs as non-hazardous waste under Subtitle D of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). And following decades of study, EPA concluded in 2000 that “Subtitle D regulations are the most appropriate mechanism for ensuring that these wastes disposed in landfills and surface impoundments are managed safely.”
Non-hazardous waste regulation will ensure that coal ash is managed safely, while also protecting human health and the environment, jobs, and electricity consumers. EPA’s other option—to regulate coal ash as a hazardous waste under RCRA Subtitle C—would impose staggering costs on power plant operations, causing electricity costs to increase and threatening electric reliability.
Regulating coal ash right—as non-hazardous waste—also will ensure the continued beneficial use of coal combustion byproducts, which today are used in a variety of applications including sustainable construction practices. In fact, coal ash has been used for more than 80 years as a substitute for cement in concrete.
You can help send a message to EPA that coal ash does not warrant hazardous waste regulation. Use this site to send your comments now.
Incumbent Worker Training Program:
The Department of Labor and Industry has unveiled a new grant titled the “Incumbent Worker Training Program”. While we await the final draft of the application, the purpose of this program is to help existing small businesses become more productive, efficient, and in the long-run, more profitable.
The grant will pay for 75% of the training costs of any worker, up to $2,000 per full-time worker and $1,000 per part-time worker. The training can be in-state or out-of-state, but the business must pay for at least 50% of all travel and lodging costs if the training is out-of-state.
However, not all small businesses will qualify. The grant is only available to companies registered with the Montana Secretary of State, and have less than 50 employees, of which, no more then 20 employees work in a single location. In addition, the grant is not available for training that is considered required for employment or training that is already provided by an employer; ie: a professional engineering license or continuing education credits for teachers.
Interested companies should contact their local SBDC office at 406/748-2990.
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