Arch Coal Responds to EPA’s Latest Action Against Key Permit for Proposed Spruce No. 1 Mine

[The Straight Story]

Arch Coal Responds to EPA’s Latest Action Against Key Permit for Proposed Spruce No. 1 Mine
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After various efforts over the past few months to address EPA's concerns with the Spruce permit, Arch Coal is disappointed that EPA has chosen to take the unprecedented action to initiate the veto process under Section 404(c) of the Clean Water Act against a validly issued and existing permit. The Spruce permit is the most scrutinized and fully considered permit in West Virginia’s history. The 13-year permitting process included the preparation of a full environmental impact statement, the only permit in the eastern coal fields to ever undergo such review. We are evaluating all possible options for relief from the government's actions and intend to vigorously defend the Spruce permit by all legal means. Further, we intend to oppose the government’s efforts to extend the stay in Judge Chambers’ court with respect to our pending motion for summary judgment.

http://news.archcoal.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=107109&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1406745&highlight=

Statement from the WV Coal Association on the Spruce Mine Permit Veto

CHARLESTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s veto of Arch Coal’s Spruce Mine permit in West Virginia demonstrates a total lack of respect for the legitimate permit review and issuance procedures that are implemented by the State and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and is an affront to the working men and women at the Spruce Mine and the people of West Virginia, WV Coal Association officials announced today.

Bill Raney, President of the WV Coal Association, said, “I am shocked, dismayed and disgusted at EPA’s actions. All of the other agencies involved in the Spruce Mine permit have disagreed and opposed EPA’s efforts to initiate this veto action. This is the most extreme example to date of EPA’s disregard and lack of respect for the will and intent of our Governor, the West Virginia Legislature and the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection to interpret and implement West Virginia statutes and programs.”

“It is beyond understanding how EPA, especially in these tough economic times, can play regulatory games and revoke a permit that has been issued for three years and where men and women are working and coal production has already started. EPA’s actions today will cast a long shadow over the Appalachian coal industry and only increase the uncertainly already created by EPA’s year old interference in the permitting of coal mining operations in Appalachia and West Virginia.”

We urge our Congressional delegation to join with the Governor and members of the West Virginia Legislature and coal miners across the state to participate vigorously in the public hearing and input process that will follow this disappointing announcement from EPA.

http://www.wvcoal.com/

[foundingmother]

1. Maybe they'll come after the Clean Water Act Next

After all, that was supposed to stifle the economy as well.

[ThomWV]

2. Thank goodness for small favors. At least its a start

Now, if they revoke another 100 permits maybe things would start to improve.

[awoke_in_2003]

3. "lack of respect"

yeah, because it is so respectable to blow the tops off of mountains and destroy the water table in the process. These people don't care about the people of Appalachia- they have been slowly killing them for years.