Legislation was introduced in Congress today to regulate the disposal of coal ash in the wake of two TVA ash spills in recent weeks.

U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall II, D-WV, introduced the Coal Ash Reclamation, Environment, and Safety Act of 2009.

Earthjustice Legislative Counsel Ben Dunham praised Rep. Rahall’s legislation.

“We are thankful to see Mr. Rahall moving so quickly to respond to the recent coal ash disaster,” Mr. Dunham said.

Rep. Rahall’s action came on the same day Lisa Jackson, President-elect Barack Obama’s pick to run the Environmental Protection Agency, said the agency will also reconsider federal regulation. Ms. Jackson made the pledge today during her confirmation hearing before a Senate panel.

Coal ash ponds storing waste created by burning coal are not subject to federal regulations, and state oversight varies. TVA’s East Tennessee spill at the Kingston Fossil Plant dumped 1.1 billion gallons of ashy mud onto the Emory River at Harriman. At the utility’s Stevenson, Ala., Widows Creek plant, about 10,000 gallons was spilled into a creek and the Tennessee River.