WASHINGTON, Jan. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today its veto of a properly issued, valid Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 404 permit for Mingo Logan's Spruce No. 1 surface mine located in West Virginia. This is the first time in history EPA has revoked a previously issued, valid CWA Section 404 permit. The Spruce permit was issued in 2007 after an in-depth 10-year review, including a comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement. FACES of Coal notes that the CWA Section 404 regulatory program annually authorizes approximately $220 billion in economic activity.

"Today's unprecedented action by the EPA offers more proof that this administration and EPA are paying lip service to the employment and economic challenges this state and our country are facing," said Bryan Brown, West Virginia Executive Director of FACES of Coal. "Every road project, construction project or mine site that has received valid CWA 404 permits in the past is now in jeopardy of having that permit vetoed or revoked. It's absurd. FACES of Coal will be looking to our elected leaders in Congress for action in defending our jobs and the opportunity for economic stability."

The Federation for American Coal, Energy and Security (FACES of Coal) is an alliance of more than 70,000 people from all walks of life who are joining forces to educate lawmakers and the general public about the importance of coal and coal mining to our local and national economies and to our nation's energy security.  In addition to keeping tens of thousands of people employed in good-paying jobs, coal is the lifeblood of our domestic energy supply, generating nearly half the electricity consumed in the United States today.

SOURCE FACES of Coal