From roof shingles to drywall to concrete countertops, products made with leftover waste from coal-fired power plants are in many U.S. homes.

About 45 percent of this dustlike materialknown as coal ashis recycled into products as elemental as pavement and foundations. Such reuse, up from 30 percent in 2000, is generally considered safe and welcomed by most everyone, from utilities seeking to lower disposal costs to environmentalists looking to lower carbon emissions.

But that's only half the story.

The other 55 percent of coal ash, which can contain toxic substances like arsenic, is often stored in ponds next to waterways. In December 2008, more than a billion gallons leaked into the Emory River and nearby land from the Kingston Fossil Plant in Tennessee. And in February of this year, up to 39,000 tons spilled into the Dan River from a Duke Energy coal plant in North Carolina. (See related story: "Giant Toxic Coal Ash Spill Threatens Animals.")

So on Friday, facing a court-ordered deadline, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) made a long-awaited decision: Coal ash needs to be safely disposed of but is not a hazardous waste. (See related story: "Largest U.S. Coal Ash Pond to Close, But Future Rules Still Undecided.")

To the dismay of environmentalists, the EPA's determination keeps coal ash in the same category as household garbage. Still, the agency called for regular safety inspections, the closure of landfills that fail to meet standards, groundwater monitoring, and dust controls around coal-ash sites.

A Boon for Recycling?

The coal industry, which lobbied heavily against a "hazardous" label that could have required costly disposal rules, says the EPA decision could spur an uptick in coal-ash recycling.

"There's a lot of market demand for this material," says Thomas H. Adams, executive director of the American Coal Ash Association, noting interest from green-building groups and others that favor reuse.

He says a common type of coal ash, called fly ash, makes concrete more durable andby reducing the need to manufacture cementalso lowers greenhouse-gas emissions. Adams adds that another type of coal ash, synthetic gypsum, is used in about 50 percent of U.S. drywall, while a third type, boiler slag, appears in about 80 percent of roof shingles.

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EPA Decides That Coal Ash, Which Pervades Our Homes, Is Non-Hazardous

Steel Grey Granite Countertops | Indian Granite Manufacturers
Steel Grey granite manufacture from India, the renowned Regatta Exports known for high quality finishes provided on the countertops, premium quality granite block selections for countertops,...

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Steel Grey Granite Countertops | Indian Granite Manufacturers - Video

This two-bedroom condo is one of two just carved out of a brick row house in Bostons charming Bay Village.

While the upper-floor unit has just gone under agreement, Unit 1 at 34 Melrose St., a 1,229-square-foot first-floor and basement duplex, is available for $1,079,000.

The row house has been completely redone. The exterior has all new windows and a refurbished wood-paneled entryway, and the interior has new dark-stained oak floors throughout. Theres a built-in iPad that controls the units temperature through Nest thermostats and a built-in sound system with ceiling speakers in most rooms.

Unit 1 opens to the right off the first floor into an open living/dining area with crown molding and 9-foot ceilings with recessed lighting. There are two six-over-six windows and a refurbished fireplace with a black stone hearth.

The adjacent dining area has two windows that overlook a community garden next door, and two more rear-facing windows front on a fire escape.

Off the dining area is a marble-floored half bathroom.

The kitchen space is through a large opening and features Shaker-style white cabinets, bullnose-cut white granite counters and glass-mosaic tile backsplash. Stainless-steel appliances include a Samsung refrigerator, a GE Cafe gas stove, a GE dishwasher and built-in microwave. It has a window and French doors out to a fire escape.

The units two bedroom suites are on the lower level, down a set of turning oak stairs with a closet on a landing halfway down. Under the staircase is additional storage.

The master bedroom suite has recessed lighting, but at 12-by-9-feet is average-sized, and it has a small closet. A glass door leads up to a small private fenced-in brick patio that brings in light. The en-suite bathroom has white marble floors and surround for a glass-doored tub and shower. Theres a wood vanity topped with polished white granite.

The hallway to the second bedroom holds a closet with a stacked Whirlpool washer and dryer.

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Row house gets modern updates

Monday, November 24, Segment 5 -Angie #39;s List: Countertops
Thinking of replacing your old counter-tops? Learn tips and tricks for picking out a new counter material. Also learn what is important to think about when doing a kitchen remodel.

By: Delmarva Life

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Monday, November 24, Segment 5 -Angie's List: Countertops - Video

Published: Thursday, December 18, 2014 at 7:12 p.m. Last Modified: Thursday, December 18, 2014 at 7:12 p.m.

SARASOTA - A custom-built home on Roberts Bay sold Tuesday for $4.2 million, a markup of nearly $500,000 since it last changed hands just one year ago.

Built in 2008, the 5,040-square-foot estate has four bedrooms and four full bathrooms. It sits on nearly half of an acre at 1447 Tangier Way in the neighborhood of San Remo Estates, property records show.

Flanked with plank walnut floors, the luxury abode also features marble countertops, tongue-in-groove wood ceilings, a chefs kitchen and a home office. There are several outdoor terraces and a waterfront pool overlooking the private boat dock, with more than 200 feet of basin-to-bay waterfront.

The property, listed for $4.595 million by Karen Greco of the Palmer Ranch of Michael Saunders & Co., was sold to buyers represented by Mark McCann, of the firms Siesta Key office.

The property was last owned by Richard and Melissa Hall, who bought the home in October 2013 for $3.725 million, records show.

Earlier this week, Naples-based London Bay homes bought a vacant lot on Siesta Keys Solymar Drive for $1.55 million.

GRT Developments is the subsidiary of Naples homebuilder London Bay Homes that bought the property at 3922 Solymar Drive on Siesta Key, records show.

The seller was an Independence, Iowa, company managed by James L. Blin that paid $1.92 million for the waterfront lot in September 1999, records show.

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Roberts Bay home sells for $4.2 million

Affordable Quartz and Graite Countertops in Fort lauderdale
We offer Granite, Quartz, Remnants, Sinks and more, all under one roof. Half Price Countertops is a direct importer of Granite and Quartz and because we have...

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Affordable Quartz and Graite Countertops in Fort lauderdale - Video

Granite Countertops VA - 703 378 10 80
http://www.granitecountertops.pro/ We specialize in granite countertops, marble countertops, soapstone countertops and other natural stone counter tops. We have locations all over DC metro...

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Granite Countertops VA - 703 378 10 80 - Video

IKEA Quartz Countertops | Find The Best Quartz Countertops For Your IKEA Kitchen
http://www.kitchensbydesignla.com/design-services/ If you #39;re looking for the best quartz countertops for your IKEA kitchen, chances are you WILL NOT find the...

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IKEA Quartz Countertops | Find The Best Quartz Countertops For Your IKEA Kitchen - Video

Call 1-800-200-DOOR and speak directly to the craftsman making your solid wood counter top! We are a small family owned an operated company and take great pride in talking directly to the customer! No operators, no sales people, talk directly to the guy who will be making your counter top! Call us to start the process of owning a beautiful solid wood counter top! The History Behind Our Countertops

Wood countertops are not new to us, since 1979 we have been building custom cabinetry for our customers. Over the years our customers have asked us to build wood tops for many of our custom projects. We found ourselves putting wood tops on our kitchen cabinetry, built in storage benches, desk areas and even fire place mantels. The constant demand for wood countertops over the years naturally led us to where we are now offering them as a product line. Our countertops are all over New England. Whether you find one in the second floor of a brownstone in Boston or overlooking the ocean on Marthas Vineyard our countertops are sure to provide a warmth and character not often seen in today's construction. Our tops provide a traditional feel unmatched by any other countertop product. They can be used as the main top in your kitchen or as an accent piece for some stand alone cabinetry!

Construction of your Top

When building our tops we offer two different construction techniques, a face grain wide plank top and edge grain butcher block. The face grain wide plank tops will use boards measuring between 3"-10" in width. Each board will run the length of the countertop and be glued and biscuit joined the entire length using only premium waterproof glues. Our edge grain butcher block tops consist of strips of wood measuring 1 5/8" in width being glued together to make your top. Like our wide plank tops our butcher block strips of wood also run the entire length of the top and are also biscuited together with premium waterproof glues. The materials we use for our countertops are like people, their colors and appearances vary. Our craftsmen hand select the materials to provide the greatest color and grain match available, we also cut around unsightly imperfections and defects but keep in mind color and grain patterns are naturally occurring and their individual variations are what make them beautiful. The color and grain variation are part of the charm of your natural wood top and can not be controlled. You must expect that your top will have a certain amount of variation and will even vary from a sample that has been provided to you. The thickness of your counter top is only limited by the raw materials available. Our standard thicknesses are listed below or ask us and we will see if thicker material for your top is available from our suppliers.

Finishes

Installation

Care and Maintenance

Our Edge Profiles

We offer many different edge profiles, pictures of our most common are listed below. We can apply other profiles to our countertops at your request. All of our profiles are made using quarter inch and half inch shank router bits. Feel free to send us the link to the manufacturer of your favorite edge profile with its product number and if we don't already have it we will add it to our collection building your countertop. Here are the links to manufacturers of edge profiling bits we most often use:

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Wood Countertops - SpragueWoodworking.com

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Who else loves the look of brand new butcher block countertops? The natural wood gives a rich, cozy feel to a kitchen. But I've always wondered how these beauties hold up over time. Among folks who actually installed butcher block counters in their home, opinions tend to be sharply divided. After several years of heavy use, some call them a "disaster" while others have grown to love them even more over time. This polarization of opinion is related a number of factors: installation, type of surface treatment, and the level of care their owners are prepared to lavish on them.

What People Like About Butcher Block Countertops

Appearance is mentioned again and again as an enormous advantage of butcher block countertops. The wood complements every kitchen style and tends to grow deeper-colored and more attractive with the passing years. (NOTE: Because of the darkening as the wood develops a patina, choose a lighter color than you hope to end up with, when installing butcher block counters.)

Butcher block is often praised as "warm." This adjective does not apply only to its appearance, but also to its physical temperature. It is a very pleasant surface to work on, even in the depths of winter.

These countertops are equally easy on the ears -- they're sound-absorbent -- and on your dishes. If in the midst of hectic holiday meal prep, you slam down or drop your favorite ceramic platter onto butcher block, it's not likely to break as it would on, say, tile or quartz.

What's more, the smooth wood is fantastic for large-scale baking tasks like rolling pastry or kneading bread dough in quantity.

Perhaps best of all, butcher block countertops are easy to install and even to make yourself. Even if you order them from a contractor, they are very affordable.

What They Hate

Let's put it bluntly: butcher block requires a lot of maintenance.

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Butcher block countertops: how do they hold up?