Chandler and Yarmuth Actively Support Destroying Kentucky Coal Jobs

KY Congressmen support legislation designed to obliterate surface mining

LEXINGTON, Ky., April 21, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is being released by the FACES of Coal:

Congressmen Ben Chandler and John Yarmuth of Kentucky have both signed on as supporters of the Clean Water Protection Act introduced by Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Dave Reichert (R-WA). The legislation as written would destroy Kentucky coal jobs and bring to an end surface mining operations throughout Eastern and Western Kentucky. The Bill would also negatively impact almost all terrain adjustment industries including many of the pending construction and highway jobs funded by the President's Economic Stimulus package, because they would no longer be able to obtain a Clean Water Act, Section 404 permit.

"The sweeping effects proposed in Pallone's Bill would seriously damage Kentucky coal jobs and Kentucky's economy. It would also harm almost every construction, production and land development operation in our state and elsewhere. It's absurd for anyone to support it," said Phil Osborne, Executive Director of Kentucky FACES of Coal. "Kentucky needs jobs; we don't need our congressman supporting legislation that destroys jobs."

In a press release from Congressman Pallone's office concerning the legislation, Pallone also asserted EPA's retroactive veto of the permit for the Spruce Mine was due to health effects. EPA has never referenced public health effects in their comments as rationale for the highly controversial and potentially illegal veto determination.

"This legislation is bad for the country and bad for Kentucky, it's distressing when two of our elected Members of Congress choose to ignore that fact," Osborne continued. "Legislation like this is wrong in spirit, it's wrong in science and it's wrong for Kentucky. Given his ultra liberal, anti-job stance on most issues I'm not terribly shocked by Mr. Yarmuth's support of the Bill but I really thought Cong. Chandler knew better or cared more."

If passed the Pallone Bill would cause drastic economic instability throughout Appalachia. The Bill currently has 71 co-sponsors, 45 of whom represent California, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Washington, Oregon, Connecticut and Rhode Island.

The Federation for American Coal, Energy and Security (FACES of Coal) is an alliance of more than 75,000 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.

CONTACT: Phil Osborne of FACES of Coal, +1-859-231-7711

SOURCE FACES of Coal