Rep. Jenkins Cosponsors Spruce Mine Bill

Press Release

U.S. Representative Evan Jenkins (R-W.Va.) cosponsored legislation introduced today that would prevent the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency from retroactively vetoing valid permits, as happened at the Spruce No. 1 mine in Logan County.

The bill enjoys the support of the entire U.S. House of Representatives delegation from West Virginia, with Rep. David McKinley (R-W.Va.) introducing the bill and Rep. Alex Mooney (R-W.Va.) also signing on as a cosponsor. The legislation would prohibit the EPA from retroactively vetoing valid permits issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the federal agency traditionally tasked with reviewing such projects.

The Spruce No. 1 mine is located in West Virginia's Third Congressional District, represented by Rep. Jenkins.

"Make no mistake -- the Obama administration and his EPA have declared a war on West Virginia coal and West Virginia coal jobs, and Logan County's Spruce No. 1 mine is just one target. The Spruce mine secured valid permits from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and was ready to move forward with millions of dollars in investments, but the EPA retroactively canceled the permit," Rep. Jenkins said.

"West Virginia jobs are on the line, and the EPA is stretching its authority by canceling legally issued permits. West Virginia businesses and workers need and deserve certainty from the federal government, but the EPA's actions put construction projects and jobs in jeopardy. I am proud to speak up for West Virginia's energy jobs and hardworking coal miners by cosponsoring this important legislation to rein in the president's EPA."

The West Virginia delegation also introduced this legislation in the 113th Congress.

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