Bill aims to speed permitting; House legislation asks EPA to review mining permits quickly

摘要

LEGISLATION FILED by U.S. Representatives Hal Rogers (R-KY) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) aims to increase jobs available in the coalfields of the Appalachian region by requiring the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to review mining permit applications more quickly. The legislation is a House version of the so-called Mining Jobs Protection Act that the representatives said would protect Appalachian coal miners from "strangulation by regulation." The House bill, similar to one filed in the Senate, would give the EPA up to 60 days to accept or reject permit applications so that mining companies are not left waiting indefinitely to learn whether they will be allowed to open new operations or to expand existing ones. Kentucky Coal Association President Bill Bissett said the current waiting period is one of the top complaints of the mining industry. He said some companies have had to wait years for a response, the Charleston Gazette reported.