News
BYRD RESPONDS TO EPA GUIDELINES ON MINING PERMIT PROCESS
Thursday, April 1st, 2010
For Immediate Release: Thursday, April 1, 2010
“Asked for ‘clarity’ of procedures to end uncertainty in coalfields”
Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., today responded to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) announcement of guidelines relating to water quality issues and the mining permit process. Byrd has met and discussed with EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson on several occasions and has asked her to clarify and develop a clear set of parameters for issuing mining permits to end uncertainty in the coalfields.
“Today’s announcement will hopefully now have everyone reading off the same page.”
“I, along with other elected officials, coal operators, the mining community, and environmentalists from West Virginia have been asking for a clearer, concise policy on moving forward with mountaintop mining permits and water quality issues.”
“I am pleased that EPA Administrator Jackson took our concerns about the need to provide clarity very seriously and has responded with these guidelines.”
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