Obama looks to end expedited mining reviews

Source: Associated Press

Jun 11, 12:19 AM EDT

Obama looks to end expedited mining reviews

By DINA CAPPIELLO
Associated Press Writer
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WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Obama administration wants tougher environmental reviews for coal companies that mine the Appalachians by blasting off mountaintops and discarding the rubble in stream valleys.

The administration plans to announce Thursday a proposal to eliminate the expedited reviews that have made it easier for mining companies to get approval for mountaintop mining.

The proposal is part of an agreement between three federal agencies that will lead to a series of changes to boost federal oversight and environmental screening of the practice.

Nancy Sutley, head of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, said in an interview with The Associated Press that the Interior Department, Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers will establish clear standards that will ensure the environment, economy and health of Appalachia are adequately protected.

Read more: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_MOUNTAINTOP_MINING?SITE=FLTAM&SECTION=US

We regularly attended demonstrations in Charleston, WV against mountaintop removal in the late 70s!

. . . to expand their operations and their intentional subsidence techniques -- irresponsibly damaging and desrtroying the homes and natural water sources and supplies of the guinea-pigs for longwall in my home-county -- with no federal regulation until the early 90s.

You know, every day that passes, I'm more and more convinced that we elected a chickenshit President.