A Mississippi River’s Perspective of Minnesota’s Coal Tar Ban
from the Minnesota Master Naturalist MINNESOTA COAL TAR SEALANT PHASE-OUT LEGISLATION PASSES In a major victory for water quality and public health, the Minnesota Legislature passed a bill phasing out the use of coal tar sealants in Minnesota. Effective January 1st 2014, the sale and application of coal tar sealants for asphalt-paved surfaces will be […]
Atlanta-Area Neighbors Raise Health Concerns About Parking Lot Sealants
From WSB Altanta: By Mike Petchenik SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Plans to patch cracks in one Sandy Springs neighborhood have some homeowners concerned for their health and safety. They plan to bring those concerns to state lawmakers. A few weeks ago, neighbors in the Woodcliff Condo complex off Ison Road told Channel 2’s Mike Petchenik […]
For Children’s Sake Maine Representatives Oppose Coal Tar Sealants
Sidewalk Chalk by Ctd 2005 Last week Maine’s House of Representatives debated legislation to ban the use and sale of coal tar pavement sealers. Unfortunately the measure was narrowly defeated, but excellent testimonies were given by the representatives. This debate, while relatively new to the State of Maine, was as thoughtful and passionate as any […]
Big Day for Coal Tar Sealant Legislation in 4 States; Minnesota Quietly Passes Nation’s Second Statewide Coal Tar Sealer Ban
In case you missed it, May 23, 2013 was most likely the busiest day in the history of coal tar sealant legislation. At least 3 states took action on bills and a fourth may have committed to study it further. Minnesota Yesterday the Governor of Minnesota signed into law the Omnibus Legacy Bill that including […]
2nd State Ban of Coal Tar Sealant Nears as Minnesota Legislature Acts!
Today Minnesota’s House and Senate voted to pass a ban of coal tar pavement sealants. If signed by the governor in the next two weeks, Minnesota would become the second state in the United States to pass a ban of this product. The bill is part of a larger bill called the Omnibus Legacy Bill […]
Minnesota’s Statewide Ban of Coal Tar Sealants Clears the House
Late last Friday the Minnesota House of Representatives passed the $538 million omnibus legacy finance bill (HF 1183). One of the amendments to the bill is a the statewide ban of coal tar sealcoats. After vigorous floor debate on other elements of the legislation, the measure passed 70 to 55. The amendment was offered by […]
Hey Maine DEP “Help Reduce Pollutants, in Our Backyards”!!
In 8 years of tracking this topic a first was reached last week at Maine’s committee hearing about LD 1212. The state’s environmental protection agency testified AGAINST the ban of coal tar sealants. You heard right, the Director of Policy for the State of Maine’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Heather Parent, read a letter of opposition […]
Maine Coal Tar Sealant Industry Lays It on Thick at Committee Hearing
The coal tar sealant industry laid out a thick and deep version of reality to Maine’s Environment and Natural Resources Joint Committee this week. The hearing was for a bill introduced by Matthea Daughtry to ban coal tar sealant sale and use in the State of Maine (LD 1212). Many of the claims were re-treads […]
Maine Physicians Praise Daughtry on Coal Tar Sealant Ban Legislation
Representative Daughtry The Maine Chapter of Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR) has come out in support of State Representative Matthea “Mattie” Daughtry’s bill to ban the sale and application of coal tar sealants there. Representative Daughtry introduced this legislation about a month ago. Currently there are coal tar sealant bills pending in 5 states (Indiana, […]
Happy Earth Day 2013! Rep. Doggett Re-introduces Coal Tar Sealant Ban Legislation!
Image Credit: NASA Congressman Lloyd Doggett from the 35th District of Texas has re-introduced a bill to phase out the use of coal tar pavement sealants across the US. Last year Congressman Doggett sponsored similar legislation, but it never left committee. For nearly a decade, Doggett has been a ardent supporter of efforts to understand […]