CHARLESTON – Today’s decision by the Obama Administration and the U.S. EPA to revoke the permits for Mingo-Logan’s Spruce Mine shows an unbelievable arrogance and a total disregard for the impact this decision will have on the lives of West Virginia’s families.
The people of West Virginia deserve better treatment from their federal government. Time and again, the State of West Virginia and the Corps of Engineers have affirmed the issuance of this permit. For the EPA to ignore the needs of West Virginia communities represents malicious arrogance on the part of an agency determined to cripple Appalachian coal production.
This permit was issued THREE YEARS AGO after TEN YEARS OF WORK by the company to address the stated concerns of the EPA. The company worked with the EPA all along the way to address those concerns and incorporate them into the mining plan. The company did everything the EPA asked and more.
When the permit was finally issued, the company had every reason to trust the COMMITMENT given it by the EPA and moved to put investment in place. Now, the Obama EPA has decided to RENEGE ON THAT COMMITMENT. As a result, the company’s multi-million dollar investment and the hundreds of jobs the operation promised to the people of our region have been eliminated by our federal government.
At full production, the mine would have employed 235 miners and created approximately 300 indirect and induced additional jobs. The jobs would have been high-paying, long-term employment opportunities. Total direct and indirect payroll would have been nearly $30 million annually (approximately $16 million in direct mining payroll alone).
Today’s decision not only impacts Mingo-Logan and its Spruce Mine, it brings into question ALL future investment in any endeavor that requires issuance of a federal government permit anywhere in this country. This is an arrogant and bullying game to play when millions of our people are out of work, desperate for a job and looking to the Obama Administration for economic improvement.
West Virginia needs these jobs. The people of West Virginia want these jobs and they support this project. Having a good job is perhaps the best prescription for good health available.
It is time for the EPA to stop being part of the problem and become part of the solution. The American people want jobs and not political games. We call upon the people of West Virginia, our elected officials and our members of Congress to stand up to this administration its EPA and take the actions necessary to end its rogue behavior.
Bill Raney, president,
West Virginia Coal Association