Dear Colonel Peterson: 

As West Virginia’s Senate Majority Leader let me thank you for providing this forum. Coal mine permitting and its process are of great concern to the citizens of West Virginia, especially those in southern West Virginia.

We are all greatly concerned of the EPA’s ongoing review of surface coal mining permits.  We depend on coal for our livelyhoods, and this review cannot be underestimated. Their decisions will shape the future of our state, its economy, our jobs, our future and our ability to survive.

We are very troubled with this review process and have expressed our concerns to the EPA. We have written letters to EPA administrator, Lisa Jackson; we have written letters to newspapers, and we are now marshaling our people to make our voices heard in the halls of Congress and in the White House itself.

As you know, the Environmental Protection Agency does possess the legal authority to review surface mining permits for compliance with the Clean Water Act.  However, we think the EPA should exercise its authority more fairly.  Certainly, it should be implemented in accordance with common law and regulation.

Our coal miners in southernmost West Virginia want to work, and coal operators want to abide by the law.  First, they must be aware of the rules of operation, which are simply not being provided.

The Senate leadership intends to continue urging the Obama administration to complete the review and work quickly.  In hopes that our coal miners stay on the job, so that our economy will not be devastated, and the coal’s energy supply will continue powering the nation.

Again, thank you for your kind consideration.

Very truly yours,

Senator H. Truman Chafin

WV Senate Majority Leader