By Angela Hatton
Frankfort, KY – A Kentucky house committee unanimously passed a bill today exempting mines that produce coal used exclusively in the state from meeting requirements of the federal Clean Water Act. The bill set off a round of denunciations against federal regulators during the House Natural Resources and Environment Committee meeting. Chairman Representative Jim Gooch told members the federal government lacks authority to regulate intrastate commerce. Representative Stan Lee says the federal government is overreaching with its regulations on energy, health care and other segments of the economy. The bill now heads to the full House for consideration.