How do you spell delay? Try E-P-A as permits caught in morass of regulatory shortfalls, reluctance

摘要

There are reports that somewhere between 175 and 200 refuse disposal permits have passed their technical review period without issuance. The continued backlog traces to more than one source. The EPA's involvement has "literally put (the process) in limbo," according to a senior official with one Central Appalachian mining company. The EPA does manage to chill a room. But personnel shortages also appear to be slowing the permit process. There are scads of inexperienced reviewers and shortages of sufficient regulatory personnel, sources said. Further, the Nationwide General Permit expired in January, the EPA wanted 90 days to review it, prior to renewal, and the reviewers "didn't like what they saw," a source noted. Heavy metal analysis was added to the process, "giving them 'outs' for later down the road," a source said.