Bill would prevent the Environmental Protection Agency from undermining states' permitting programs.

By Pam Kasey

A bipartisan bill introduced May 27 in the U.S. House of Representatives addresses the erosion of states’ authority and partnership with the federal government under the Clean Water Act.
The “Clean Water Cooperative Federalism Act of 2011,” H.R. 2018, was introduced by Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman John L. Mica, R-Fla., and by committee ranking member Nick Rahall, D-W.Va. Rep. Shelly Moore Capito, R-W.Va., was among the bill’s original cosponsors.

The bill amends the Clean Water Act, or CWA, to preserve the system of cooperative federalism established under the CWA in which the primary responsibilities for water pollution control are allocated to the states.

When visitors step into U.S. Rep. David McKinley's office in Washington, one of the first things they see is the picture at right. The version on McKinley's wall is hard to miss. It's life-sized, and it is not there for decoration. It's a reminder - one we think is sorely needed in Washington.

CHAPMANVILLE, W.Va. (AP) - Mingo County businessman James H. "Buck" Harless isn't slowing down with age.

In fact, the 91-year-old Harless drove himself all the way from Gilbert to Chapmanville last week to attend a Boy Scouts fund raiser.

Harless is still very active in business and as a philanthropist. He was honored during the James H. "Buck" Harless Friends of Scouting dinner at the Logan Country Club last week for his 75 years as a Boy Scout.

Harless also sat on the front row of the crowd at Monday's groundbreaking ceremony for the new TransGas coal-to-gas plant that was conducted just down from his business office in Gilbert.

Harless said he intends to keep going strong for as long as he's physically able. And, right now, he's very able, he said.

Local residents were able to hear about some of the bills currently before Congress straight from one of the individuals elected to represent them in Washington, D.C.  Congressman David McKinley held a town hall meeting in Weirton's Millsop Community Center on Tuesday, hoping to discuss some of the legislation making its way through the halls of the U.S. Capitol, as well as to hear some of the residents' concerns.
The Republican has hosted two previous town hall meetings within the 1st District. There also have been three telephone town halls, one of which the congressman said included 14,000 participants.

He said many issues have been brought up during those events, but he feels they all end up pointing back to one thing.  "It's all about jobs," McKinley said. "You can call it anything, it's all about jobs."

Joy Global has agreed to buy LeTourneau Technologies from Rowan Companies for $1 billion in cash.

LeTourneau produces earthmoving equipment for surface mining and makes drilling equipment for the mining, oil and gas sectors. The company is a top manufacturer of large-wheel loaders, and boasts the industry's largest model sizes and payload capacities, according to Joy. It is the only manufacturer of electric drive loaders.

LeTourneau's mining and drilling units had 2010 revenue of $259-million and $556-million respectively.