Earl Ray Tomblin's Clear Record on Coal
While Washington is making it tough on West Virginia, Governor Tomblin is standing up for coal miners and fighting against the war on coal. He strengthened standards and regulations to make miners safer and is suing the EPA to protect jobs. Tomblin has beaten the EPA in court twice, because the federal government overstepped its bounds, but the work is far from over. Stand with Governor Tomblin against Washington and the EPA and tell the White House to stop the war on coal.
November 2010 – On October 6, 2010, then Gov. Manchin sues the EPA for usurping authority of state DEP to regulate mining, upon taking office Gov. Tomblin continues the lawsuit
January 2011 – EPA overrules U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, revokes Arch permit for Spruce No. 1 mine
Tomblin organizes coal rally
Beckley Register-Herald, 1/15/2011
Outraged by the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to pull a permit for the Arch Spruce No. 1 mine, Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin is organizing a “rally for coal” Thursday at the state Capitol.
The EPA’s decision to deny the permit, which was originally approved, has touched off a wave of anger among West Virginia politicians.
“Our coal industry provides jobs for our men and women, money for our children’s education, and energy for our country’s growing appetite for electricity,” Tomblin said Friday.
“We must stand up and show federal regulators that we will not retreat from their unfair actions. We will continue the fight, not just for the Spruce No. 1 mine, but for every coal miner, coal company, and for our way of life.”
Coal Gets Rally At the Capitol
Acting governor and former governor tout fossil fuel
Associated Press, 1/21/2011
Tomblin, a Democrat, was the first in a string a speakers at the hourlong event to blast EPA for that decision.“This is about sending a message to Washington,” Tomblin said. “This rally is about jobs, plain and simple.”Tomblin also responded to critics from the environmental movement who slammed him Wednesday as an industry shill for organizing the event. “This rally is not about any one coal company. This rally is not about lobbying for the coal industry,” he said.
June 2011 – West Virginia, under the leadership of Governor Tomblin, files “friend of the court” brief on behalf of Arch
March 15, 2012 – Governor Tomblin signs comprehensive mine safety legislation that establishes rock dusting and new methane standards, requires pre-employment and random drug testing, along with other measures and safety improvements that will prevent coal mine disaster injuries and fatalities.
Mine bill focuses on safety, accountability
Fairmont Times-West Virginian, 3/24/2012
March 23, 2012 – U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson overturns the EPA veto of Arch Coal permit
Spruce Surface Mine Gets Go Ahead
MetroNews, 03/23/2012
Court rules against EPA in Spruce Mine case
West Virginia Record, 3/26/2012
W.Va. still fighting EPA over strip mine permits
Gov: Spruce victory bodes well for W.Va. fight with EPA over permits for other strip mines
The Associated Press, 3/27/2012
April 16, 2012 – West Virginia joins in MACT challenge
Tomblin Wants WV to Challenge EPA
MetroNews, 04/17/2012
“This is a shining example of the EPA, an unelected federal bureaucracy, making policy without regard to the economic impact of its decisions,” said Gov. Tomblin. “I will continue to fight for West Virginia jobs and against the EPA’s ideologically driven, job-killing agenda.”
W.Va. joining 21 states in challenge to EPA's emissions rule
West Virginia Record, 4/17/2012
July 31, 2012 – U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton rules EPA overstepped its authority when it issued water quality guidance
Federal Judge: EPA Overstepped Authority
MetroNews, 8/1/2012
Federal judge rules against EPA
Beckley Register-Herald, 8/1/2012
Tomblin Applauds Coal's Win Over EPA in Court
The Boone Examiner, 8/2012
U.S. judge strikes down EPA rules for mines
Associated Press, 7/31/2012
EPA mine water pollution guidelines thrown out
Charleston Gazette, 8/1/2012
Dealing another blow to the Obama administration's crackdown on mountaintop removal, a federal judge on Tuesday threw out new federal guidance that aimed to reduce water pollution from Appalachian coal mining operations.
Walton also found that EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson "infringed on the authority" of state regulators to govern their own pollution permit and water quality standard programs.
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