Appalachian groups, citizens head to Washington to advocate for protection from mountaintop removal

[theHandpuppet]

The State Journal (WV)
Appalachian groups, citizens head to Washington to advocate for protection from mountaintop removal mining
Posted: Sep 08, 2014
By Sarah Tincher, Energy Reporter

Several groups and citizens hailing from Appalachia, in coordination with The Alliance for Appalachia, will be gathering in Washington, D.C. Sept. 8-9 to meet with government officials and advocate for the protection of their communities from the environmental and community impacts of mountaintop removal coal mining.

In the meeting, which will include officials from agencies including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Council on Environmental Quality, the groups will primarily address the Obama administration's “promises in regards to the destructive practice,” the Alliance said in a statement. Seeking more permanent protections and concrete commitments for what the agencies can accomplish by the end of 2016, citizens will present the agencies with a two-year timeline demonstrating their goals for the remainder of the Obama administration.

The aim of the meeting, according to the statement, is to work with the Obama administration to protect Appalachian residents' health, access to clean and safe drinking water and air, and to encourage long-term economic sustainability that promotes the heritage and beauty of this important region.

“Five years ago, the Obama administration made a promise to take measures to protect the people, waters and mountains of Appalachia from the dangerous impacts of mountaintop removal mining,” said Patrick Morales of The Alliance for Appalachia and Tennessee group Statewide Organizing for Community empowerment. “But mountaintop removal coal mining is still happening, people are still living without clean water, and states are still flagrantly violating the law, and refusing to protect citizens from the impacts of water pollution from coal mining.”.... MORE at http://www.statejournal.com/story/26474557/appalachian-groups-citizens-head-to-washington-to-advocate-for-protection-from-mountaintop-removal-mining