Press
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Logan -- TBA
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Beckley -- TBA
Bluefield -- TBA
Huntington -- TBA
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As the most carefully scrutinized and fully considered mine permit in West Virginia's history, the Spruce No. 1 permit was legally issued in 2007. The nearly 10-year permitting process included the preparation of a full environmental impact statement. The EPA was intimately involved in the preparation and approval of the Spruce permit, making today’s news even more difficult to understand. - Arch Coal
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- WV DEP Letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers responding to EPA claims and arguments that the Spruce permit should be revoked.
- Corps of Engineers letter responding to EPA claims relative to the Spruce Mine
- Senate Concurrent Resolution adopted by the Legislature during the regular session, urging EPA not to revoke the Spruce Mine.
- Letter from Senator Rockefeller to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson regarding the Spruce Mine Permit.
- Statement from Congresswoman Shelly Moore Capito on EPA’s decision to revoke the Spruce Mine Permit.
- Statement from Congressman Nick Joe Rahall on the Spruce No. 1 Mine Permit
- Chart from EPA—how the Section 404(c) veto process works.
- Parent Category: News
This federal bureaucracy is misleading, and is adding excessive red tape that is affecting people’s livelihoods. Government should be a facilitator and partner, not a hindrance to Americans working to obtain the American Dream – and that is to have a good job, make a decent wage and provide for their family.” - Gov. Joe Manchin, West Virginia.
“[A]t some point, a project must be deemed to have been studied enough to meet NEPA’s requirements. This is the most heavily studied and scrutinized surface mining coal operation in the history of a state which has a long history with the coal mining industry.” - West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection
“The WVDEP is committed to the application of the existing laws, rules and policies to protect the environment. … It does not support retroactive, ad hoc departures from existing laws rules and guidelines.” - West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection
“There are 250 jobs at risk in that mine. The Spruce #1 permit has been in operation over two years and Arch has worked hard to comply with every request from the EPA. If this veto is allowed to stand then any mine permit is at risk. There is a possible $150 million in taxes, miners wages and payments to suppliers and area businesses at stake if this permit is allowed to be stopped permanently,” - Sen. Ron D. Stollings, (D-Boone, Logan, Lincoln)
“This decision by EPA is reckless and arbitrary. It establishes a dangerous precedent in that it reneges on an already approved permit --- something that has never been done previously. In doing so, it brings into question the reliability of the entire permitting process and shows an arrogant disregard for the impacts this will have on the state’s economy and its people.” - Bill Raney, president, West Virginia Coal Association
- Parent Category: News
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
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/
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Pittsburgh Post Gazette - Op/Ed - April 17, 2010
One week ago this evening I returned from six physically and emotionally grueling days covering the Upper Big Branch mine disaster in Montcoal, W.Va. Since then, I keep thinking of the 29 brave souls whose time on Earth ended deep beneath it. I pray they didn't suffer. I think of the family and friends left to mourn them. I pray their suffering is somehow salved. I think of the kindness bestowed upon me and other journalists as the tragedy unfolded around us. I pray karma rewards them.
In my career, I've covered unexplainable acts of God and unfathomable acts of man -- plane crashes, serial killings, tornadoes, police killings, suicides, the slayings of men, women and children. I have tried to shine light on the human condition.
- Parent Category: News
It would be embarrassing if it were not so humbling.
Hours after the West Virginia mine explosion Monday, scores of journalists from all over the country started arriving - in a very rural area with no communications or places to sleep closer than an hour's drive away.
When the governor began giving press briefings at Marsh Fork Elementary School (this week happens to be spring break, so the children are out), journalists began getting comfortable at the site a few miles from the mine entrance, and we never left. By Tuesday, a couple dozen satellite trucks filled the parking lot, and classrooms with tiny chairs and paintings on the walls were turned into newsrooms and bedrooms.
Read more: Journalist moved by Mountain State residents after mine tragedy
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WE go to desperate lengths to get the energy we use, and we have been doing it for a very long time now.
But the developed world has had heat, light, air conditioning, washers, dryers, vacuum cleaners, cars, trucks and computers for so many decades now that a dangerous disconnect has developed.
Most Americans don't have any idea where their comforts and conveniences come from, and never give it a thought.
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A pair of tall black boots and a lunch pail sat near the altar Sunday at the New Life Assembly church - a memorial to the 29 men killed in the worst U.S. mining disaster since 1970 and a thank-you to those who make their living inside the mountains.
This day, the first Sunday since last Monday's explosion killed 28 workers and a contractor at Massey Energy Co.'s Upper Big Branch mine in Montcoal, was for many a time to honor the profession. Tears of mourning fell, and arms swayed in worship among the 50 people gathered at the church.
Pastor Gary Williams, who has worked at Massey Energy mines for 18 years, knew many of the victims. On his way to church Sunday morning, he heard Ricky Workman's name among them for the first time.
"I know his child. I know his wife. He's a part of my family. He's a part of my life," Williams said, tears falling. "Over time, our hearts and the emptiness that we have inside will fade away, but I don't never want to forget what happened April 5, 2010."
Read more: 'It is an honor and privilege to be a coal miner'