TRASH OR TREASURE?

COAL-fired power plants; ELECTRIC power & the environment; COMBUSTION; ASSOCIATIONS, institutions, etc.; WASTE salvage; CONSTRUCTION materials; FLY ash; PORTLAND cement

The article reports on the continued public debate over the benefits of using coal in providing electric power in the U.S. It notes on the findings of the survey by the American Coal Ash Association (ACAA) which indicate that 43 percent of the coal combustion waste (CCW) produced in the U.S. in 2007 was considered beneficial and recyclable. It reveals that the beneficial waste products are converted into construction materials like concrete and wallboards, roofing granules, and asphalt filler. Moreover, the fine material captured after combustion called Fly Ash has the energy saving properties that can be used to replace portland cement in a concrete mix. INSETS: Why does cement manufacturing produce so much CO2?;What about the CCW that isn't recycled?.