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"Today's EPA decision is not just fundamentally wrong, it is an unprecedented act by the federal government that will cost our state and our nation even more jobs during the worst recession in this country's history," Senator Joe Manchin, D-WV.
“I’m not going to say it’s political, but it’s a stance they have taken policy-wise that I think is extremely harmful to the United States of America and definitely to West Virginia. This is not just an assault on the coal industry. It's an assault on every job market in the U.S. economy. It might be West Virginia and the coal industry today. It will be your industry tomorrow." Senator Joe Manchin, D-WV.
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At full production the mine would have employed 235 miners and created another 300 indirect and induced jobs in the area.
The jobs created by the Spruce permit would have been high-paying, long-term employment opportunities. These jobs would pay approximately $70,000 annually with full benefits.
Total economic impact of this operation was estimated at approximately $150 million annually.
The permit is the most scrutinized mining permit in history in West Virginia or the Appalachian region.
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Yesterday’s decision by the Obama Administration and the U.S. EPA to revoke the permits for Mingo-Logan’s Spruce Mine shows an unbelievable arrogance and a total disregard for the impact this decision will have on the lives of West Virginia’s families.
The people of West Virginia deserve better treatment from their federal government. Time and again, the State of West Virginia and the Corps of Engineers have affirmed the issuance of this permit. For the EPA to ignore the needs of West Virginia communities represents malicious arrogance on the part of an agency determined to cripple Appalachian coal production.
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The 80th Legislature kicked off on Wednesday at noon with stability in the House and considerable drama in the State Senate as the leadership positions changed. The Senate re-elected Earl Ray Tomblin as Senate President so that he can continue to serve his constitutional duty as “Acting” Governor. Following lengthy debate Senator Jeff Kessler (D-Ohio) was elected “Acting” Senate President after the Senate rules were changed to recognize the position. Kessler appointed the leaders of the Senate with some key changes as John Unger (D-Berkeley) replaced Truman Chafin (D-Mingo) as Majority Leader and Roman Prezioso (D-Marion) became Finance Committee Chairman in place of Walt Helmick (D-Pocahontas). Cory Palumbo (D-Kanawha) was named Judiciary Committee Chairman while Herb Snyder (D-Jefferson) was named Chairman of the Government Organization Committee. Mike Green (D-Raleigh) will continue as Chairman of the Energy, Industry & Mining (EIM) Committee. Richard Bowning (D-Wyoming) will be Majority Whip as Dr. Ron Stollings (D-Boone) will lead the Health & Human Resources Committee and Bob Williams (D-Taylor) heads up the Agriculture Committee. Other changes and assignments will be reported in subsequent Coal Bits.
During the first three days of the Regular Session there were 599 separate bill introduced. The House of Delegates had 504 bills and the Senate received 95 new bills. The majority of these had been pre-filed (before the Session) and covered topics/issues that had not gotten attention in past Sessions.
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Support Our Coal Industry
Charleston, W.Va.—Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin today announced he, along with leaders from the West Virginia Legislature, labor groups, and coal industry, will hold a rally for coal Thursday, January 20, 2011.
“Our coal industry provides jobs for our men and women, money for our children’s education, and energy for our country’s growing appetite for electricity,” Gov. Tomblin said. “We must stand up and show federal regulators that we will not retreat from their unfair actions. We will continue the fight not just for the Spruce Number One mine but for every coal miner, coal company and for our way of life.”
What: Rally for Coal
When: 2 p.m., Thursday, January 20, 2011
Where: Fountain side of the State Capitol
Why: On January 13, 2011, the Environmental Protection Agency withdrew the previously issued clean water permit for the Mingo Logan Spruce Number One mine. Governor Tomblin believes coal can be mined in an environmentally safe way and calls upon the EPA to reinstate the permit which received approval after passing a rigorous 10-year review. Governor Tomblin encourages the public to join him and other state leaders to show the EPA how coal impacts our lives, and the lives of our fellow countrymen, by standing shoulder to shoulder at this rally.
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