Come to Charleston May 18th for an EPA Hearing on Spruce Mine!

Members of the public are encouraged to attend the public hearing (registration begins at 5 p.m.; hearing begins at 7 p.m.) on May 18, 2010, at the:

Charleston Civic Center (South Hall)
200 Civic Center Drive
Charleston, West Virginia 25301
304-345-1500

The federal Environmental Protection Agency West Virginia’s coal miners and our coal mining communities are under attack by the EPA. EPA has joined with coal’s opponents in Congress and scheduled two hearings on the same day (May18th) for bills and actions that will do away with mining in West Virginia and take our people’s jobs. We’re convinced the opponents to West Virginia coal teamed up to make it very difficult for our people to be represented at both places, one in Washington and the other in Charleston. We must prove them wrong!

We will have details on the trip to Washington next week. It will involve buses to DC and planned, scheduled events surrounding the hearing.

While we must have a good, strong showing in DC, I ask your immediate attention be given to the Charleston West Virginia hearing that will be held at the Civic Center. EPA is holding the hearing about their threats to “veto” the already issued Spruce permit of Arch Coal in Logan County. This is almost unbelievable in today’s world, the federal government (EPA) confiscating a legally-issued permit and sending working miners home when the country is trying to rebuild its economy. We must show EPA how much we care about our miners, our jobs and our state.

We ask you to call the following toll-free number to reserve a space at the hearing. The phone number is 1-877-368-3552. You will be asked for your name, address, email address and phone number. It will let EPA know a large group plans to attend the May 18th hearing.

You can also register online at http://sprucehearing.eventbrite.com/