Washington, DC –
U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Water and Wildlife Subcommittee released the following statement after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced it has vetoed a permit for mountain top removal mining at the Spruce No. 1 surface mine in Logan County, West Virginia.

 

“In vetoing the Spruce Mine Permit, EPA did the right thing today for the health of the people and the natural resources of Central Appalachia,”
said Senator Cardin. “EPA’s action halts the permanent, large-scale destruction of some of the oldest mountains on earth and the dumping of toxic mining waste into neighboring streams.  This veto protects the richest temperate freshwater ecosystem in the world, communities’ health and wellbeing, and a way of life cherished for generations. 

 

“Mountaintop removal mining, which produces less than five percent of the nation’s electricity, has destroyed over 500 mountains, resulted in burying 2,000 miles of mountain streams and polluted drinking water sources with arsenic, selenium and mercury.  I look forward to working with the Administration and my colleagues to bring this devastating practice to a permanent end and ensuring the residents of Central Appalachia have access to the clean and safe water all Americans deserve.”