This is amazingly good news.
(Washington, D.C. - March 24, 2009) The United States Environmental Protection Agency has sent two letters to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers expressing serious concerns about the need to reduce the potential harmful impacts on water quality caused by certain types of coal mining practices, such as mountaintop mining. The letters specifically addressed two new surface coal mining operations in West Virginia and Kentucky. EPA also intends to review other requests for mining permits.
- EPA Press Release
Here are some details.
Announced by EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, the move targets a controversial practice by coal mining companies that blasts away whole peaks and sends mining waste into streams and wetlands. It does not apply to existing mines, but to requests for new permits, a number estimated to be as high as 250.
The EPA also urged the Army Corps of Engineers not to issue permits for two new projects unless their impacts were reduced.
The announcement comes just over one month after a controversial Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals decision that paved the way for more than 100 additional mountaintop removal mining permits.
Here is a picture of this hideous practice.
http://www.stopmountaintopremoval.or...
"The two letters reflect EPA’s considerable concern regarding the environmental impact these projects would have on fragile habitats and streams," Jackson said in a statement.
"I have directed the agency to review other mining permit requests" as well, she added. "EPA will use the best science and follow the letter of the law in ensuring we are protecting our environment."
Citing its regulatory role under the Clean Water Act, the EPA said the letters stated that the projects "would likely cause water quality problems in streams below the mines, would cause significant degradation to streams buried by mining activities, and that proposed steps to offset these impacts are inadequate."
MSNBC/AP
The EPA has the authority to deny the permits under the Clean Water Act and it said in the letters that "we find that the extensive cumulative and other impacts give this proposed project high potential as a candidate for 404(c) action," meaning that EPA can deny those permits.
The National Mining Association (read MTR lobby) is freaking out:
This action, which applies to all mining-related 404 permits in the region, puts thousands of mining jobs and coal production in Appalachia at risk. While on the one hand the administration is spending billions in stimulus jobs, it is taking away the highest paying jobs in the region by delaying needed permit approvals. This is not good for jobs or for energy security.
I'll update as news starts to come out. But thought you would all like to know.
UPDATE: Here's news from the best coal reporter in the country.
Obama EPA starts crackdown on mountaintop removal
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The Obama administration has begun a crackdown on mountaintop removal, moving to block or delay mining permits the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says cause unacceptable damage to Appalachian streams, forests and mountains.
EPA officials quietly began the action Monday, with letters aimed at blocking or slowing down two mining permits the federal Army Corps of Engineers proposed to issue in West Virginia and Kentucky. Agency officials then made a formal announcement this afternoon
http://wvgazette.com/...
For all the details as they emerge, read Ken Ward's blog here