Since 1951, AEP has been a pioneer in many of the utilizations of coal ash in the construction of its own power plants. Dams, plant roads, stacks, cooling towers and even the company's 31-story headquarters building in Columbus have been constructed with the help of this versatile and plentiful material. Governmental agencies have encouraged the utilization of coal ash. For instance, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued procurement guidelines specifying that fly ash be allowed as an option in all concrete purchased directly or indirectly with federal funds. The Federal Highway Administration also specifies fly ash in all highway concrete pavements wherever it is economically and technically feasible.
Coal ash offers a number of advantages.
It is abundant, economical and versatile. In addition, the use of coal ash preserves natural resources, lowers utility rates and is supported by governmental agencies. The environmental compatibility, abundance, availability and economy of coal ash translate into benefits for industry. Industries benefit through significant cost savings while not sacrificing product quality. In fact, the properties of ash are such that, in many applications, it improves the product.