By Mike Ruben
State Journal
CHARLESTON -- Freshman Congressman David McKinley, R-W.Va., assured coal industry leaders he will be their voice in Washington, D.C., and will take on the Environmental Protection Agency.
“Coal is king, and West Virginia is coal, and they’re hearing that in Washington,” McKinley said during a Feb. 3 session of the West Virginia Coal Association Symposium in Charleston. “I’m going to make sure they understand in Washington just how important coal is. We’re focused very much on that.”
McKinley, an engineer and former state legislator from Wheeling, said the EPA has been overstepping its bounds during the Obama administration.
“The war on coal has to come to a stop, and we have to stop it,” McKinley said. “I may be just one voice out of 435, but I’m not a shrinking violet. I’m here to protect the coal industry and to be a voice for the coal industry in West Virginia and across the country.
“We’re going to be active. Our first mission is looking at the issue of the EPA. I’ve got to think you’re sympathetic to that cause. We’ve got to get them under control. I’m not going to let the regulatory bodies overrun what should be handled in the legislative process.”
Specifically, McKinley referred to the EPA revoking a water permit at a surface mine in Logan County owned by Arch Coal.
McKinley stated the issue is larger than the Spruce mine in question and even the coal industry. He said he has heard concerns from representatives across the country.
“We want to understand how, in God’s name, can the EPA shut down and revoke a water permit that was issued four years ago? We’re going to keep addressing that,” he said. “It shouldn’t happen. We’re going to see if we can’t get some action to control the EPA.”
As a counter move, McKinley said has introduced legislation that revokes the EPA’s ability to rescind permits.
“This is not just about Spruce,” he said. “It’s for all the mines and all the industries. If the EPA, OSM (Office of Surface Mining) or MSHA (Mine Safety and Health Administration) can get away with it…." By developing its coal and natural gas reserves, McKinley said America has an opportunity to move toward becoming energy efficient and energy independent. He added that West Virginia, in turn, is positioned to take a leadership role.
“I want West Virginia to be at the forefront,” he said.
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