EPA Halts Mountaintop Removal.

[SirNitram]

Suck it, Massey. Suck it long, suck it hard.

WASHINGTON - Dozens of mountaintop coal-mining permits are being put on hold until the projects’ impacts on streams and wetlands can be reviewed, the Environmental Protection Agency said Tuesday.

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 projects would allow companies to fill thousands of feet of streams with mining waste at two sites in West Virginia and Kentucky.

"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."

The agency said it had also "recommended specific actions be taken to further avoid and reduce these harmful impacts and to improve mitigation."

Recent court ruling
Last month, a federal appeals court ruled the Army Corps of Engineers did have the authority to issue Clean Water Act permits for mountaintop removal coal mines without more extensive reviews.

The ruling was a blow to environmentalists and mine neighbors who oppose the highly efficient but destructive practice that exposes thin, shallow coal seams. Rocks, dirt and other debris typically are dumped into valleys containing intermittent streams, which is how clean water rules become involved.

The coal industry says most of the nearly 130 million tons of coal produced at mountaintop mines in Appalachia goes to generate electricity for 24.7 million U.S. customers. Moreover, mountaintop mines employ some 14,000 people across West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee.

Mountaintop permits have slowed to a trickle since March 2007, when the corps was ordered by U.S. District Judge Chuck Chambers to rescind several permits. It was Chambers' ruling that the appeals court overturned.

Coal companies have been cutting production, closing mines and laying off workers across the country amid anemic demand, particularly for utility coal overseas and coking coal used to fire steel mill blast furnaces. At least 1,310 jobs have been trimmed at various Appalachian mines in recent weeks.

Carol Raulston, a spokeswoman for the National Mining Association, said further delays in the permits would cost the region high-paying jobs. "This is very troubling, not only for jobs in the region, but production of coal generally," said Raulston.

Mountaintop removal's barons complain it supplies power to 12% of the population.. A trivial amount of coal power.

[General Havoc]

I'm hardly a fan of strip mining, Nit, but I don't see how 12% of the population is in any way "trivial".

[Cynical Cat]

I'm hardly a fan of strip mining, Nit, but I don't see how 12% of the population is in any way "trivial".

It's trivial compared to the amount of coal that's mined in West Virginia. In other words, other sources will easily make up the loss and with the demand for coal declining, the coal barons are trying to manufacture an issue where none exists.

[SirNitram]

To compare, Nuclear Power supplies 19%. All forms of coal together supply 48%. To whine about not getting this tiny amount when demand is already anemic is downright stupid.

[LadyTevar]

*dances* Yes Yes Yes! Stop the Mountain Removal!

[General Havoc]

Fair enough.

Besides, if we had any sense at all, we'd be building more nuclear plants rather than dredging up more coal.

[Batman]

But, but nuclear power is, well, nuclear. And nuclear is EVIL! Besides, where would we put the incredible amounts of nuclear waste they produce that is impossible to store safely and cannot conceivably be put anywhere where it will do no harm? Especially as it would leak into the environment no matter what?
AND that's ignoring that any problem at a nuclear power plant will inevitably lead to a fatal meltdown that will contaminate the entire country if not worse.

[General Havoc]

I er... assume the above is sarcastic.

[Dark Silver]

Yes, the Detective is being sarcastic.

[General Havoc]

It's been a long day, and text is a poor vehicle for it anyway.

[Dark Silver]

true enough Havoc. True enough.