Rep. Rahall Questions EPA Administrator on Coal Mining

10/15/09 -- During a hearing of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, on which he serves as the Vice Chairman, Rep. Rahall asked, “Administrator Jackson, I would ask you, for the record, whether you believe that clarity and certainty is the goal in EPA’s reviews of coal mining permits? There are concerns that EPA is not providing clear cut direction – that coal operators are not being told what requirements they need to comply with and there is fear there are no clear rules of the game by which to seek mining permits.”

Jackson confirmed that clarity and certainty are something the EPA owes the mining community and the American public. The Administrator said that she believes that “the end of the road should be clarity and certainty in the regulations that EPA is imposing through the Clean Water Act.”

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Regarding individual permits that are currently in review, Jackson commented that those permits have been held up in litigation for many years, which is a normal outcome when clarity and certainty are lacking in the permitting process and interested stakeholders are not consulted upfront.

Following up, Rahall asked, “As you may be aware, some of the more ardent and vocal opponents to what EPA is doing claim that you want to end all coal mining. Again, for the record, is that the case?”

Jackson conceded, “Unequivocally, neither EPA nor I personally have any desire to end coal mining, have any hidden agenda – any agenda whatsoever – that has to do with coal mining as an industry.”

She concluded that coal can be mined safely and cleanly, and in a way that minimizes impacts to water quality, and that she believes the EPA has a role and responsibility under the Clean Water Act to speak to those issues and only those issues.

Rahall has indicated that while a number of issues remain unresolved, he will continue to keep an open line of communication with pertinent federal agencies on the matter of coal mining permits.

Source: Rep. Nick Rahall