Finally, some sense. Finally, some responsible parties who know the West Virginia economy and all the services that depend on mountaintop removal mining.

The West Virginia Coalition on Mountaintop Mining brings a needed voice of reason to the policy debate.

West Virginia finds itself in danger from environmental zealots. Barack Obama was elected president in part because of support from those who would end the use of coal, including mountaintop removal mining.

Some of those supporters now have the power to pursue their goals.

The jury is still out on what the Obama administration’s Environmental Protection Agency means by its announcement that it will ‘‘review’’ as many as 200 long-pending applications for mining permits.

Endless delay?

That would have endless consequences for West Virginians - for coal jobs, coal counties, coal-related businesses, and for the state.

People who fly over mountaintop removal mine sites have no responsibilities to local people - indeed, seem to rank them lower than vegetation. They don’t care about the consequences their policies would have.

West Virginia leaders are better informed and more responsible, and sensible public policy will not be found without their input.

The coalition includes coal companies, equipment companies and county commissioners. They know what’s at stake.

Roger Lilly of Walker Machinery, which sells and services heavy construction equipment, said his company employs about 800 people and has an annual payroll of $50 million.

‘‘If this attack on coal and mountaintop mining continues, it will destroy our company,’’ he said. ‘‘We will literally be gone. . . . The uncertainty is rampant.’’

Said state Senate President Earl Ray Tomblin, D-Logan: ‘‘Coal is the backbone of the economy.’’

As Logan County Commissioner Art Kirkendoll put it: ‘‘I couldn’t run this courthouse - I couldn’t run this county - without the tax money we get from coal.’’

Since about seven other jobs depend on each coal mining job in Logan County, he said, a hiatus on mining could affect about 80 percent of the county’s 36,000 people. About 12 million tons of the 20 million tons Logan County produces comes from surface mines.

The state Senate recently passed a resolution ‘‘recognizing the importance of the coal mining industry in West Virginia and requesting West Virginia’s congressional delegation to support the coal industry.’’

Indeed. Local officials have great knowledge and great responsibilities. Policymakers who ignore what they say will not make defensible policy.