March, 26 2010, 12:23pm EDT
Rainforest Action Network Statement on EPA's Veto of Spruce Mine Permit
The
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today that it intends to
block the Clean Water Act permit for the Spruce No. 1 Mine in Logan
County, the largest mountaintop removal permit in West Virginia history.
Following is a statement by Amanda Starbuck, Rainforest Action
Network's Global Finance Campaign Director.
SAN FRANCISCO
The
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today that it intends to
block the Clean Water Act permit for the Spruce No. 1 Mine in Logan
County, the largest mountaintop removal permit in West Virginia history.
Following is a statement by Amanda Starbuck, Rainforest Action
Network's Global Finance Campaign Director.
"EPA's move to veto the Spruce mine permit is a big step for
Appalachia's historic mountains, clean water and community health. It is
clear that EPA is responding to the resounding citizen opposition
against blowing apart our nation's oldest mountains.
"It seems that EPA Administrator Jackson's concern over the impacts of
mountaintop removal coal mining on human health and waterways is now
translating into meaningful action.
"The science is clear that mountaintop removal is harming water
resources in real and measurable ways. We hope that the Spruce Mine veto
is a sign that EPA is going to begin using its full authority to stop
this devastating practice.
"We urge the EPA to take holistic and preventative measures, to issue no
new MTR permits and end this devastating practice once and for all."
Rainforest Action Network (RAN) is headquartered in San Francisco, California with offices staff in Tokyo, Japan, and Edmonton, Canada, plus thousands of volunteer scientists, teachers, parents, students and other concerned citizens around the world. We believe that a sustainable world can be created in our lifetime and that aggressive action must be taken immediately to leave a safe and secure world for our children.
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