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CONTACT: Rainforest Action Newtork (RAN) Nell Greenberg |
Statement on EPA’s Decision on Mountaintop Removal Permits
SAN FRANCISCO - September 11 - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced it will hold dozens
of mountaintop removal permits for further review. Following is a
statement by Michael Brune, Executive Director of Rainforest Action
Network (RAN):
“Today was a moment of truth for the EPA. By recognizing the irreversible destruction caused by mountaintop removal coal mining, the EPA has taken an important stand in support of the people and ecosystems of Appalachia. The agency seems to recognize that there is no environmentally safe way to demolish mountains.
“Hopefully the Administration sees that the risks to health and environment from blowing up mountains are not worth the 7% of coal we get from mountaintop removal mining.
“While the EPA took an important step today by holding dozens of mountaintop mining permits, this is only a temporary step. Congress has the power to stop this tragic practice by a swift passage of the Appalachian Restoration Act. Otherwise, Congress risks being complicit in sacrificing hundreds of miles of streams, 60,000 acres of diverse hardwood forests and the health of Appalachian communities.”
“Today was a moment of truth for the EPA. By recognizing the irreversible destruction caused by mountaintop removal coal mining, the EPA has taken an important stand in support of the people and ecosystems of Appalachia. The agency seems to recognize that there is no environmentally safe way to demolish mountains.
“Hopefully the Administration sees that the risks to health and environment from blowing up mountains are not worth the 7% of coal we get from mountaintop removal mining.
“While the EPA took an important step today by holding dozens of mountaintop mining permits, this is only a temporary step. Congress has the power to stop this tragic practice by a swift passage of the Appalachian Restoration Act. Otherwise, Congress risks being complicit in sacrificing hundreds of miles of streams, 60,000 acres of diverse hardwood forests and the health of Appalachian communities.”
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