Minnesota Gearing Up for Phasing Out Coal Tar Sealants

As you may know, earlier this year the State of Minnesota passed a law banning the sale and use of coal tar pavement sealants. The new law goes into effect January 1, 2014.

In order to prepare for this transition, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is hosting a free webinar to explain the details of the ban and the science that led up to this decision. As described below, registration is required for the hour to hour and a half seminar.

If you only knew the effort statewide that went into getting this ban passed. It is the culmination of research, investigation and a lot of discussion at the state and local level. Thanks to all of you who worked to make this happen.

Even if you don’t live or work in Minnesota, it will be a good time to learn more about the state of the science, how Minnesota intends to enforce the ban and there will be an opportunity for questions after an hour.

Phasing Out Coal Tar Sealcoats Update

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency sent this bulletin at 08/15/2013 12:36 PM CDT

WEBINAR SCHEDULED – The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and project partners have scheduled a webinar to provide an overview of the issues driving companies and communities away from the use of coal tar-based sealcoat.

Tuesday, October 1, 2013 – – The basic program is 9:30 – 10:30 Central, plus an additional 30 minutes of availability for questions and discussion if desired (until 11:00 Central).

Please register by going to https://mpca.webex.com/mpca/onstage/g.php?d=255793259&t=a and clicking on Register in the upper left under Event Status.

PROVIDERS OF SAFER ALTERNATIVES – Go to the Great Lakes Coal Tar Sealcoat PAH Reduction Project web page at http://www.pca.state.mn.us/h8udqd6 and click Interactive map of companies (http://www.pca.state.mn.us/uu4yx6y) to see applicators and suppliers in several states who have pledged not to provide coal tar sealcoat.

Help spread the word to companies in your area that we can list and map any company in the Great Lakes area if they are willing to sign the Pledge/Certification Form on the Great Lakes web page. This will support residents and businesses in your area who are ready take action by purchasing safer alternatives to coal tar sealcoat.

Thanks!

Al Innes, MPCA – – alister.innes@state.mn.us