CHARLESTON – West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin announced Wednesday that his administration is filing suit against the Obama Administration and the U.S. EPA in an effort to stop the senseless war against Appalachian coal being waged by the president and his administration.
West Virginia Coal Association Chairman Gary White and President Bill Raney, along with representatives of the United Mine Workers of America and several other labor and industry organizations, were on hand for the announcement at the State Capitol.
White said it is vital to the state’s future to stop this power grab by Obama and the EPA.
“What the EPA has been doing for the past two years is simply illegal,” White said. “The agency and the Obama Administration have ignored the Constitution and have tried to force the states to accept their narrow, job-killing agenda. They have ignored the congressionally-mandated rule-making process. They have bullied their way, trampling over the basic rights of our people and our state in an effort to impose their will. Their actions threaten not only surface mining, but all forms of mining or development that require an NPDES permit. We whole-heartedly agree that it is time to stop this and we strongly support Governor Manchin’s decision to file this suit.”
White said Govenor Manchin and the industry have repeatedly tried to find common ground with the EPA and their efforts have been ignored. The governor, he said, repeatedly warned the Obama Administration and the EPA not to threaten the livelihoods of our coal mining families.
“I have seen the Governor Manchin try to talk to them,” Raney said. “He truly has gone the last mile trying to find a solution, but the Obama Administration and the EPA simply won’t listen to common sense or reason. Governor Manchin has stood up to Obama and the folks at EPA and told them point-blank that he won’t stand by while West Virginia’s economy is destroyed. He has fought for us every step of the way and this lawsuit is a clear signal that the people of West Virginia are angry and we won’t allow this attack to continue.”
Raney said a broad coalition is united behind the governor and his efforts to protect our state.
“We are seeing a coalition of industry, labor, vendor companies, folks whose only connection to the issue is their concern about jobs and our children coming together to fight the radical agenda of this president and the EPA.” Raney said. “And today we see a governor who is willing to stand up and do what’s right without regard to politics.”