Alabama Steps Up Mine Monitoring After EPA Threatens Permit Objections

摘要

Alabama environmental officials are stepping up monitoring of pollutant discharges from coal mines in response to negotiations between the state and federal officials, after EPA threatened to object to Clean Water Act permits for coal mines in the state that the agency said could have violated water quality standards. EPA has apparently backed off what state and industry sources say were earlier demands that Alabama fully apply its landmark guidance on mining permits, which outlines strict requirements for approving water permits for mountaintop mining operations in Appalachian states but does not formally include Alabama. The agency has drawn fire from Appalachian states, particularly Kentucky, for objecting to permits that fail to meet the criteria of the guidance.