Just when I thought we had won a significant victory against mountaintop removal (MTR) coal mining, the EPA issued this statement Tuesday evening:
EPA Statement on Mining Permit Applications
Contact: Adora Andy, 202-564-2715 / andy.adora@epa.gov
Following reports that mischaracterize actions taken by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), agency press secretary Adora Andy today issued a statement regarding mining permit applications:
The Environmental Protection Agency is not halting, holding or placing a moratorium on any of the mining permit applications. Plain and simple. EPA has issued comments on two pending permit applications to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers expressing serious concerns about the need to reduce the potential harmful impacts on water quality. EPA will take a close look at other permits that have been held back because of the 4th Circuit litigation. We fully anticipate that the bulk of these pending permit applications will not raise environmental concerns. In cases where a permit does raise environmental concerns, we will work expeditiously with the Army Corps of Engineers to determine how these concerns can be addressed. EPA's submission of comments to the Corps on draft permits is a well-established procedure under the Clean Water Act to assure that environmental considerations are addressed in the permitting process.
Was it a mischaracterization or did the coal companies and the politicans that they support (i.e. Gov. Manchin-WV, Rep. Rick Boucher-VA, others) get to the EPA?
How can EPA's statement above "We fully anticipate that the bulk of these pending permit applications will not raise environmental concerns" be credible? There are documented studies which show that MTR destroys streams and water quality.
Please email EPA's contact andy.adora@epa.gov to voice your concerns. Thank you!
Copy of my letter below:
Dear Adora Andy:
I am very upset that the EPA appears to have backtracked on holding up mountaintop removal MTR coal mining permits. President Obama clearly said that he wanted to stop mountaintop removal coal mining when he campaigned.
In particular, I question your statement: "We fully anticipate that the bulk of these pending permit applications will not raise environmental concerns" There are documented studies which show that MTR destroys streams and water quality. It appears that you are making judgments already when you have not done any studies or read any research. Contact any fisheries biologist in any state affected by MTR and you will understand that no aquatic life can live in any stream that has been affected by MTR coal mining.
As one who lives in the Appalachian mountains, I have seen the suffering that MTR coal mining has caused in these communities. In addition, it is totally destructive of the natural environment. I expect the EPA to protect the environment and not allow MTR coal mining to continue. We must replace this massive carbon-emitting fuel with green energy which could be an economic boost to the region.
I am very upset that the EPA appears to have backtracked on holding up mountaintop removal MTR coal mining permits. President Obama clearly said that he wanted to stop mountaintop removal coal mining when he campaigned.
In particular, I question your statement: "We fully anticipate that the bulk of these pending permit applications will not raise environmental concerns" There are documented studies which show that MTR destroys streams and water quality. It appears that you are making judgments already when you have not done any studies or read any research. Contact any fisheries biologist in any state affected by MTR and you will understand that no aquatic life can live in any stream that has been affected by MTR coal mining.
As one who lives in the Appalachian mountains, I have seen the suffering that MTR coal mining has caused in these communities. In addition, it is totally destructive of the natural environment. I expect the EPA to protect the environment and not allow MTR coal mining to continue. We must replace this massive carbon-emitting fuel with green energy which could be an economic boost to the region.
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Comments
Regulatory folks deal with miners and they become friends. Happens in many regulatory agencies even without bribes.
Mr Adora,
I was unpleasantly surprised at your press release saying that folks had miscontrued the EPA's actions on mining permits. Your statement seems expressly designed to comfort coal mine corporations. How can you say:
"We fully anticipate that the bulk of these pending permit applications will not raise environmental concerns"
even before you look at them? Smacks of the same sort of regulatory behavior that the SEC engaged in with Madoff. If this is still your thinking, the EPA needs some serious house cleaning.