By Catherine Tsai/AP

DENVER—More than 100 speakers commented Thursday at a hearing on proposed coal ash regulations, with utilities arguing that placing regulations under hazardous waste laws would threaten jobs, and ranchers citing health concerns in their call for tough federal regulation.

Several power producers told the EPA that such regulation also could raise electricity rates, while business owners said it could affect their livelihoods.

The disposal of coal ash gained national attention after 5.4 million cubic yards of coal ash at a Tennessee Valley Authority plant breached a dike and spilled into and around the Emory River in 2008. The EPA has proposed measures such as requiring liners and groundwater monitoring at new coal ash landfills, but it’s trying to decide between two options for implementing the rules.

One option is for direct federal enforcement, under rules for hazardous waste. The other option is to regulate under rules for non-hazardous waste. The second option relies on lawsuits by states and citizens for enforcement.

Coal ash, which is left over from the burning of coal at power plants, contains such substances as arsenic, cadmium and mercury. The EPA isn’t looking to end its “beneficial use” in concrete, roofing or other applications, but some business owners fear the stigma of coal ash being regulated as a hazardous waste will be enough to discourage people from recycling it in that manner.

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