Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall (D-WV) today released the following statement after United States District Judge Reggie B. Walton ordered that certain actions by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) relating to coal mining permits in Appalachia were “unlawful agency actions:”

“This is a victory for the working men and women in the coalfields of West Virginia.  I urge the Department of Justice and this EPA not to appeal this decision.  Know that you are wrong.  The judge has determined on summary judgment that this EPA has engaged in certain ‘unlawful agency actions.’  Now is the time for you to right the wrongs.”