That lack of clarity could have profound effects not only for West Virginians but for the nation as a whole.
Officials said they would no longer follow a streamlined permitting process administered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Instead, federal agencies - plural - will conduct tougher reviews of backlogged permit applications, and will in the long term pursue policy changes.
The ‘‘enhanced coordination process’’ for reviewing pending permits - many have been pending for over a year - apparently will involve the U.S. Environmental protection Agency, the Department of the Interior, the Corps, and the Council on Environmental Quality.
So much for quickly resolving the policy questions that can affect West Virginia so dramatically.
Industry officials responded by saying the administration had added to the uncertainty facing the coal industry, not reduced it.
The economic stakes for West Virginia are high.
The Marshall University Center for Business and Economic Research said in 2004 that barring mountaintop removal mining would have ‘‘precipitous’’ effects on local and state tax revenue.
No kidding. The state produces 161 million tons of coal a year - almost 93 million tons from underground mines and 68 million tons from surface mines, which are far more efficient and far more safe.
Refusing to set clear rules for mountaintop mining will discourage investment and production, disrupt individuals’ lives, and choke the flow of revenues to state and local governments.
It will also have far-reaching effects on energy bills and manufacturing decisions.
There is one certain thing about micromanagement of complex issues by Washington bureaucrats, though.
If they’re solely in charge, they’re solely to blame for unintended consequences.
While growing up in WV my dad, Lafey Toler was a proud coal miner.
Many times I've seen him stand on a picketline to uphold and fight for what he thought was right, even if it meant going to Washington, DC!
IF all the coalminers who have lost their jobs and others who have been affected by these new rules and regulations, would march on the White House, things could change. However, day by day people are sitting back thinking, what can I do, I'm just one person.
Phone AND write your senators,all of your elected officials make a scene if you have to, BUT LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD! Then call 5 friends tell them to do the same thing, then those 5 can call another 5. Before you know it, you'll have thousands of people complaining. What do you have to lose?
Don't let these other countries come in and buy the coal mines, use you to mine their coal and then ship it to other countries. THAT'S ABSURD!
Stop sitting on your bums, get up and take a stand it's YOUR LIFE, YOUR STATE, YOUR COUNTRY...THEY WORK FOR US!