EKB News

On Thursday, West Virginia Second District Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito and Third District Congressman Nick Rahall made an appearance in front of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on Capitol Hill during a hearing on the Clean Water Act. Capito and Rahall questioned Environmental Protection Agency officials about their "enhanced review process" to further review mining permits and the future of surface mining which they say supplies over 53% of the country's power and 98% of West Virginia's power. Capito told the EPA she wants specifics while saying, "Is this just an effort by the Corps and the Administration to choke off the mining and use of coal ?" Rahall told the committee, with great emphasis, there is a great deal of frustration and concern in the Applachian coalfields. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson told the committee that neither she nor the EPA has any hidden agenda neither do they have any desire to end coal mining. Both Capito and Rahall have requested more time with Jackson to further discuss their concerns.