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A resolution opposing mountaintop coal removal died last Monday (10/17) for lack of a second during the Wood County Commission meeting.
In August, the commission sponsored two separate public informational sessions on mountaintop coal removal, including opponents of the coal mining practice and a second with coal industry representatives.
Both WVCA President Bill Raney and Vice President Jason Bostic attended the County Commission meeting and pointed out the positive side of surface mining and its significance to Wood County. (See article: County takes no action on mining resolution)
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House Bill 2273, which for the first time sets minimum federal guidelines regulating coal ash while empowering the states to enforce them and authored by WV Representative David McKinley, passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support.
Full press release regarding the subject legislation is attached.
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The U. S. District Court for the District of Columbia (court) ruled on Oct. 6 in National Mining Association v. Jackson that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) unlawfully changed the permitting process for Clean Water Act (CWA) § 404 permits for coal mines. The court sided with the State of West Virginia and the National Mining Association (NMA) in challenging EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) actions that unlawfully obstructed the issuance of CWA permits and created a de facto moratorium on surface and underground coal mining within the Central Appalachian region and beyond. Apart from striking down a significant obstacle, EPA injected into the CWA § 404 permitting process, this decision should provide a valuable precedent to deter federal agencies from using informal guidance to alter regulatory procedures and impose new requirements.
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“While Jackson stays in Washington, D.C., meeting with environmentalists, I meet with coal miners, factory workers and business leaders who worry that their next stop will be the unemployment line,” – Rep. Shelley Moore Capito
Special to Roll Call
It’s disappointing that the Obama administration and the Environmental Protection Agency continue to enforce a “my way or the highway” approach to environmental regulations.
For decades, the EPA has successfully cleaned up our air and streams without slowing down the economy. Now, at the worst possible time, the EPA is advancing an extreme agenda that threatens millions of jobs across America.
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Alpha Natural Resources Southern WV Team Captain Tommy Dove competes in the National Mine Rescue Competition that was held in October in Columbus, Ohio.
More than 100 teams from 13 states competed in the 2011 National Mine Rescue, First-Aid, Bench and Preshift Competition at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio which was held in early October.
Teams from West Virginia fared very well in the event including taking third, eighth and eleventh in the overall competition results. First and Fourth in the Combination Competition results and six teams in the top ten of the First Aid competition.
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By PAMELA BRUST (
PARKERSBURG - Action on a resolution opposing mountaintop coal removal died Monday for lack of second during the Wood County Commission meeting.
In August, the commission sponsored two separate public informational sessions on mountaintop coal removal, including opponents of the coal mining practice, and a second with coal industry representatives.
The proposed resolution, presented by Walt Auvil and several other mountaintop coal removal opponents, noted other types of coal mining provide more employment, mountaintop mining methods are "environmentally and economically destructive" and mountains are the heritage of all West Virginians. The opponents asked the commission to sign off on the resolution, similar to ones passed in other parts of the state, opposing the process.
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By PAMELA BRUST (
Parkersburg News and Sentinel
PARKERSBURG - Action on a resolution opposing mountaintop coal removal died Monday for lack of second during the Wood County Commission meeting.
In August, the commission sponsored two separate public informational sessions on mountaintop coal removal, including opponents of the coal mining practice, and a second with coal industry representatives.
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H.R. 2273, introduced by Congressman McKinley, R-WV, relates to the classification of “fly ash” from coal–fired electric generators and preserves its beneficial uses.
An Association briefing paper is attached for your awareness and use.
Companion Legislation is expected to be introduced in the US Senate.
Please notify the Association if you have any questions or need additional information.
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The West Virginia Coal Association and our partners above believe the passage of H.R. 2273, the Coals Residuals Reuse and Management Act, sponsored by Rep. David McKinley (WV), is vital to the future of the coal industry, electric utilities and every industrial business in this country, as well as every American. Passage of this bill and HR 2018 would effectively rein-in the EPA’s three-year, job-killing assault against America’s basic industries and the millions of Ameri can families who depend on those industries every day.
“America is at a critical moment in its history -- our unemployment rate is over 9% percent and rising. Millions more are underemployed. Millions have lost homes, lost businesses and lost hope. While it is never a good time to destroy jobs, to de- liberately sacrifice jobs at such a time simply to impose a radical political agenda is unconscionable and unbelievable.
“We urge passage of HR 2273 and HR 2018 today! Let’s get America working again!” - Bill Raney, president, West Virginia Coal Association.
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