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."