TPO 41

In this set of materials, the reading passage and listening section discuss the harmful effect of using coal ash as a fuel. Although the reading passage provides three theories about the strict rules of handling and storing coal ash that causes reducing the use of coal ash and reducing harmful effects, the speaker refutes this idea for several reasons, which I will describe in this report.

First, the passage points out that companies must make strict regulation for the export of coal ash. For example, they use liner-special materials that prevent cole ash component from leaking into the environment. The lecturer, in contrast, rejects this by claiming that using liners for the transfer of coal ash is not sufficient. Because it only is practical for sites or companies that have a new land field or pound. But, for old companies, they do not use it. In this situation, it makes damages the old companies that cause the leak of harmful materials into the groundwater.

Furthermore, the passage argues that making some strict rules for handling and storing coal ash would discourage the recycling of coal ash into products that can be used. However, the speaker argues that making strict rules do not prevent one to use coal ash. Considering mercury for instance. In the past, the government made some strict rules for handling and storing it. But, consumers had little concern about using mercury, and these strict rules could not work. So, making the strict rule for coal ash does not be practical.

Finally, although the reading passage says that some strict rules for handling make the increasing price of power that makes by coal ash. The professor opposes these points by explaining that this extra cost well worth it because these new regulations will decrease the environmental pollution. According to the professor, this new regulation will cost about 50 billion dollars, and when this cost divided into the customers, their bill increases by 1 %.