Rep. Rahall Continues Fight to Protect West Virginia Coal Jobs

10/13/09 -- Furthering his commitment to ensuring the future of coal mining jobs and the vitality of West Virginia’s mining communities, U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall (WV-3) on Tuesday – in advance of a planned public forum hosted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) in Charleston – called on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Corps to provide surety and fairness in the review of surface coal mining permits.

“EPA’s ongoing review of surface coal mining permits is a matter of great concern in West Virginia’s coalfields. This review will shape the future of our economy, in terms of jobs, in terms of our environment, and in terms of our ability to provide affordable electricity,” said Rahall, in a letter sent today to Col. Robert D. Peterson, of the Corps’ Huntington District.

Article continues below...

“The EPA possesses longstanding legal authority to review surface mining permits for compliance with the Clean Water Act. But that authority should be exercised fairly, transparently, and according to current law and regulation. Coal miners want to work and coal operators want to abide by the law, but they need to know the rules by which to operate,” said Rahall.

Rahall has been working to address concerns over the pending review process, and has had multiple meetings with high-level federal, state, and local officials with respect to the federal permitting process. Rahall has met with EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson Lisa Jackson; White House Council of Environmental Quality Chairperson Nancy Sutley; Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, Jo-Ellen Darcy; the Huntington Corps of Engineers; as well as officials of numerous coal companies, and the United Mine Workers of America. Additionally, Rahall has contacted the U.S. Secretary of Labor and Secretary of Energy to urge them to closely monitor the review process in an effort to protect West Virginia jobs and the coalfield economy.

“I intend to continue pressing this Administration to complete its review and work through the backlog of pending mining permits expeditiously so that miners can stay on the job, our economy can recover, and our energy supply will be plentiful and affordable,” said Rahall.

The full text of Rahall’s letter follows:

October 13, 2009

Col. Robert D. Peterson
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
502 Eighth Street
Huntington, WV 25701-2070

Dear Colonel:

I would like to thank the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for providing this forum for citizen input into the coal mining permitting process. As I am sure you are aware, EPA's ongoing review of surface coal mining permits is a matter of great concern in West Virginia's coalfields.

That point cannot be underestimated. This review will shape the future of our economy, in terms of jobs, in terms of our environment, and in terms of our ability to provide affordable electricity.

I have made my concerns with this review known to the Environmental Protection Agency, and have met with EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson on more than one occasion. Just last week I met with Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Jo Ellen Darcy to discuss this matter. It was a productive meeting involving ways to expedite the issuance of permits.

Additionally, I have contacted the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Energy to ask that they closely monitor this review for any effect it may have on jobs and the ability of our State to supply the coal which the Nation relies upon for affordable electricity.

The EPA possesses longstanding legal authority to review surface mining permits for compliance with the Clean Water Act. But that authority should be exercised fairly, transparently, and according to current law and regulation.

Coal miners want to work and coal operators want to abide by the law, but they need to know the rules by which to operate. I cannot emphasize that more.

I intend to continue pressing this Administration to complete its review and work through the backlog of pending mining permits expeditiously so that miners can stay on the job, our economy can recover, and our energy supply will be plentiful and affordable.

Source: Rep. Nick J. Rahall