West Virginia granted more than $50 million

The U.S. Department of the Interior is releasing $395 million to states and tribes for cleaning up abandoned coal mines across the nation. West Virginia, the nation’s No. 2 coal producing state, will get $51.3 million and Kentucky will receive approximately $38 million.

The grants are funded in part by a per-ton reclamation fee levied on all coal produced in the United States, allow state and tribal programs to correct environmental damage from past mining, reclaim steep and unstable slopes, improve water quality by treating acid mine drainage, and restore water supplies damaged by mining.

A 2009 Department of the Interior economic study showed that when state and tribal programs invested the $298 million available during that fiscal year, the cumulative economic impact in the communities where projects were completed was an estimated $733 million.

"These grants have significant economic and environmental impacts in coalfield communities across the country," Salazar said. "In the past three years alone, OSM has distributed more than a billion dollars in these funds to states and tribes, enabling them to undertake projects that benefit the environment while employing people living in affected areas."

Association member law firm, Steptoe & Johnson PLLC, announced the opening of a second Pennsylvania office December 16. The new office will support exploration and commercial developments related to the Marcellus shale. The office will be located in the Southpointe Business Complex just off I-79 in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. Kristian E. White, a member of the firm practicing in the areas of energy, real estate, and commercial transactions, will transfer from the Wheeling, West Virginia office to serve as Southpointe’s Managing Member.

White will be supported by other members of the firm’s energy team and litigators including Russell L. Schetroma, Sharon O. Flanery and James C. Wright.

"Expanding our energy practice into Canonsburg and Southpointe reinforces our commitment to be closer to our clients to help them achieve their goals,” Brewer began. “The addition of our Southpointe office allows us to bring know-how and advocacy to our clients and new businesses entering the Marcellus shale,” she said.

In September, Steptoe & Johnson acquired the energy practice group of the western Pennsylvania firm of Culbertson, Weiss, Schetroma and Schug, P.C. Having served clients throughout Pennsylvania for decades, Steptoe & Johnson’s official presence in Meadville and Southpointe facilitates the continued provision of legal services to regional Appalachian clients.

Washington, D.C.—Senator Jay Rockefeller has informed Senate Leadership that he will insist on a vote on his EPA-suspension legislation this year. If left with no other option, Senator Rockefeller will seek to suspend the rules on the Omnibus Appropriations bill to bring up his legislation.

“The time has come for us to make a decision on the energy future of our country,” said Senator Rockefeller. “I have spent this year fighting to make sure that Congress, not the EPA, determines how best to reduce greenhouse gases in a way that protects West Virginia’s economy. While there are still ongoing discussions about how Congress should proceed, I want to make it clear that I intend to get a vote this year on my EPA-suspension legislation. I know there is bipartisan support for this legislation, and if necessary, I will seek to suspend the rules and bring this up for a vote. This is too important for us to delay any further.”

Background:

Senator Rockefeller’s legislation will allow two years for Congress to consider energy legislation in lieu of EPA greenhouse gas regulations which would otherwise take effect on January 2, 2011. The legislation directs that for two years after enactment the EPA may take no action to make stationary sources of carbon dioxide or methane emission, such as power plants, refineries, and manufacturing facilities, subject to permitting requirements or New Source Performance Standards under the Clean Air Act.  However, the legislation allows continued implementation of widely-supported motor vehicle emission standards.

The following applications for membership were approved by the Association’s Executive Committee at its last meeting:

Abloy Security, Eubia Hall of Irving, Texas; Accurate Surveying, Inc., Roger Tackett of Charleston, WV; Biological Monitoring, Inc., Dave Gruber of Blacksburg, VA; Bratton Farm, Ben Faulkner of Princeton, WV; Diamond Mining Associates, LLC, Phil Longenecker of Charleston, WV; Frost Brown Todd LLC, Trigg Salsbery of Charleston, WV; Jackson Environmental Consulting Services, LLC of Richmond, KY; KSD Enterprises, LLC, Gary Disbennett of Clarksburg, WV; Laurita, Inc., Tom Laurita of Morgantown, WV; and, The Appalachian Wildlife Foundation, David Ledford of Corbin, KY.

Welcome to all of our new members and we look forward to a long and active relationship.