By AP
Frankfort, KY – Kentucky lawmakers are threatening to give the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the boot, complaining the agency is over-regulating the state's coal industry. Senate Energy and Environment Committee Chairman Brandon Smith says the EPA's actions are threatening economic security and putting thousands of jobs at risk. The Republican says his proposal makes Kentucky a "sanctuary state," out of reach of the EPA. He says the intent is to send a message to the Obama administration that the EPA needs to be reined in from what he sees as actions aimed at hindering an industry employing some 18,000 Kentuckians. Smith, whose district includes Kentucky's coalfields, says his committee may vote today on the proposal.