July 14, 2008—The US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Coal Combustion Products Partnership (C2P2) is presenting 20 organizations and individuals with awards for safely increasing the use of coal combustion products–the byproducts generated from burning coal in coal-fired power plants.
Some of the achievements recognized include finding new uses for coal combustion products and developing a Web-based educational tool that teaches civil engineering students about the benefits and uses of these products. One noticeable honoree on the list composed mainly of researchers is Wal-Mart, which received a Special Recognition award in the Innovation category.
Using coal combustion products conserves natural resources, conserves energy, is cost effective, and helps to combat climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, notes EPA. According to the agency, the US currently uses 43 percent of coal combustion products, up from 32 percent in 2001, when C2P2 was started. EPA’s goal is to reach a 50 percent utilization rate by 2011.
The Coal Combustion Products Partnership program has more than 170 private and public partners. C2P2 is co-sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration, the Agricultural Research Service of the US Department of Agriculture, the US Department of Energy, the American Coal Ash Association, the Utility Solid Waste Activities Group, and the Electric Power Research Institute.
