Earlier this year, a federal judge came down hard on the Environmental Protection Agency for overreaching its authority as part of a war against the coal industry and reasonable energy prices. But the EPA has appealed the judge’s ruling, and that should make it clear Congress needs to step into the situation.

In January 2011, the EPA took an outrageous, unprecedented action. It revoked a surface mining permit the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had granted four years previously. …

This March, U.S. District Judge Amy B. Jackson ruled the EPA did not have the power to rescind the permits. In doing so, the agency exceeded the authority granted it by Congress, Jackson decided.

She is absolutely correct. The EPA has launched a campaign to wreck the coal industry and thus, force electric power costs up dramatically. If it is allowed to continue, entire states, including Ohio, will be devastated. Tens of millions of Americans will pay more for electricity. Many industries that rely on low-cost power will find they no longer can compete. …

Judges on the appeals court should uphold Jackson.

If, for some reason, they do not, Congress should step back into the picture with a law amending the Clean Water Act to rein in the EPA. …

— Distributed by The Associated Press