January 6, 2010
The Wall Street Journal reports that
the Environmental Protection Agency came out in supoort of a permit
for one West Virginia mountaintop coal-mining operation and
suggested it might endorse another permit for the largest such
operation in Appalachia.
The announcements by the EPA on
Tuesday continue the Obama Administration's up and down stance on
mountaintop coal mining, which basically involves blasting off
mountaintops to get at the coal underneath. Environmentalists
oppose the practice, because they say it permanently damages the
land and pollutes streams. On the othe hand, Mining companies
say the practice is safer and cheaper than traditional undergound
mining.
The EPA said it decided to support a
permit sought by Patriot Coal Corporaions' Hobet Mining, LLC after
talks with the company "resulted in additional significant
protections against environmental impacts." Patriot Coal Chief
Executive Richard Whiting said he was hopeful the company could
begin work in the area "in the very near future."
December 29, 2009
In a move that will save the jobs of
500 miners, the Associated Press reports that U. S. District Judge
Robert Chambers will allow Consol Energy to operates its Fola Coal
Mine. Consol had announced earlier this month that it would
lay off workers because of Chambers' October, 2008 decision to
suspend valley fill permits needed to keep the mine operating.
Chambers in his latest ruling has said the mine could continue using
several valley fill permits while the case continues through the
courts.
December 16, 2009
Dominion announced the Gathering
Enhancement Project, a $ 253 million expansion of its natural gas
gathering, processing and liquids facilities in West Virginia.
The project is designed to increase the efficiency and reduce high
pressures in its gathering system, thus increasing the amount of
natural gas local producers can move through Dominion's West
Virginia system.
Gary Sypolt, chief excutive officer
of Dominion Energy said "This is a good project for West Virginia
and its natural gas industry. Dominion will increase its
investment and local producers will increase their production,
thereby aiding the state's economy through job creation and
increased property, severance and other taxes."
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