Also read Tennessee coal ash spill highlights broad gaps in government oversight

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Coal-ash dams like the one that broke last week in eastern Tennessee should be forced to meet the design, construction and other safety standards set by existing federal strip mine laws, a spokesman for U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall said today.

Rahall, a West Virginia Democrat, is chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee and is in a position to force tougher regulation of coal-ash impoundments across the nation's coalfields.

"Our initial reaction is that utility coal-ash impoundments should be regulated in the same manner as coal-sludge impoundments," said Jim Zoia, a longtime Rahall aide and staff director for the House committee.

Zoia said that the federal Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation and Enforcement should take the lead in setting standards for construction, inspection and enforcement to make sure that such impoundments are safe.

Currently, there are no federal standards that govern the safe design and construction of coal-ash impoundments.

Read more in Wednesday's Gazette.

Also read Tennessee coal ash spill highlights broad gaps in government oversight

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Coal-ash dams like the one that broke last week in eastern Tennessee should be forced to meet the design, construction and other safety standards set by existing federal strip mine laws, a spokesman for U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall said today.

Rahall, a West Virginia Democrat, is chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee and is in a position to force tougher regulation of coal-ash impoundments across the nation's coalfields.

"Our initial reaction is that utility coal-ash impoundments should be regulated in the same manner as coal-sludge impoundments," said Jim Zoia, a longtime Rahall aide and staff director for the House committee.

Zoia said that the federal Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation and Enforcement should take the lead in setting standards for construction, inspection and enforcement to make sure that such impoundments are safe.

Currently, there are no federal standards that govern the safe design and construction of coal-ash impoundments.

Read more in Wednesday's Gazette.