Lake City, Tenn. (Friday, April 2) - Today, the Environmental Protection Agency released a set of actions that will positively impact environmental permitting requirements for Appalachian mountaintop removal and other surface coal mining projects by reducing degradation of water quality. Statewide Organizing for Community eMpowerment, Tennessee’s only member-run statewide organizing group, is applauding the historic introduction of these new actions.

“We’re extremely encouraged by the release of the EPA’s new guidances. These new guidances are based on sound science and that should help protect Tennessee streams from the devastating impacts of mountaintop removal coal mining,” said Cathie Bird, SOCM Strip Mine Committee Chair.
 
“This is an important step in addressing both water quality and environmental justice issues that are impacting the health of our communities. We are pleased that the EPA is addressing conductivity levels in their water quality impacts, a decision that will likely have far-reaching effects to help protect Tennessee waterways.”
 
For additional information abut the EPA’s new Comprehensive Guidance introduction, visit http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/d0cf6618525a9efb85257359003fb69d/4145c96189a17239852576f8005867bd!OpenDocument.