EPA in Charleston to discuss halted mining permits

Both this visit and a meeting earlier this month are in response to an EPA announcement that the federal agency planned to review three mountaintop removal permits, two of which were in West Virginia.

As recently as last week, the agency asked the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to hold up three more permits—one in Kanawha County, one in Mingo County and one in Virginia.

The news was greeted with joy by environmentalists, who saw the announcement as a sign of the Obama Administration’s closer scrutiny of the environmental consequences of mountaintop removal. But many in West Virginia who earn their living in the coal industry saw the news as indication of the state’s economic demise.

Governor Manchin’s spokesman says the meetings are to discuss technical matters pertaining to the permits. The EPA declined to answer questions, but issued the following statement:

“EPA continues to review applications for new surface coal mining permits that will impact streams, rivers, wetlands and other waters in Appalachian states. The Agency appreciates the opportunity to work closely with West Virginia and mine operators to assess opportunities to improve the environmental review of proposed coal mines in Appalachia.”

The meetings are closed to the public and the press.