The South Carolina Senate has given key approval to a bill that blocks out-of-state coal ash from being dumped in Class 2 landfills across the state, including a site in Pickens County.“The approval of Senate amendments to H. 4857, commonly known as the coal ash bill, is a tremendous victory,” Pickens Sen. Larry A. Martin said. “It’s a big win for the people of Pickens County and the Upstate that the threat of coal ash being brought in from out of state no longer exists.”Once signed by Gov. Nikki Haley, the bill would prevent a North Carolina company from dumping coal ash in a proposed Class 2 landfill at Highway 93 and Cartee Road in Liberty.The MRR company is suing Pickens County for $25 million, saying the county cannot prevent it from using the Class 2 landfill for coal ash.Last week, Judge Robin Stillwell heard a motion filed by MRR that sought to stop Pickens County from delaying its plans.According to court documents, Stillwell denied the motion Monday.The judge also ruled the MRR could not dump any coal ash while the case goes forward.Martin said the bill, which he expects the governor to sign, makes the lawsuit against Pickens County moot.“It’s a big win for the people of Pickens County and the Upstate that the threat of coal ash being brought in from out of state no longer exists," Martin said.

The South Carolina Senate has given key approval to a bill that blocks out-of-state coal ash from being dumped in Class 2 landfills across the state, including a site in Pickens County.

“The approval of Senate amendments to H. 4857, commonly known as the coal ash bill, is a tremendous victory,” Pickens Sen. Larry A. Martin said. “It’s a big win for the people of Pickens County and the Upstate that the threat of coal ash being brought in from out of state no longer exists.”

Once signed by Gov. Nikki Haley, the bill would prevent a North Carolina company from dumping coal ash in a proposed Class 2 landfill at Highway 93 and Cartee Road in Liberty.

The MRR company is suing Pickens County for $25 million, saying the county cannot prevent it from using the Class 2 landfill for coal ash.

Last week, Judge Robin Stillwell heard a motion filed by MRR that sought to stop Pickens County from delaying its plans.

According to court documents, Stillwell denied the motion Monday.

The judge also ruled the MRR could not dump any coal ash while the case goes forward.

Martin said the bill, which he expects the governor to sign, makes the lawsuit against Pickens County moot.

“It’s a big win for the people of Pickens County and the Upstate that the threat of coal ash being brought in from out of state no longer exists," Martin said.