By Erica Peterson
Louisville, KY – A federal judge has ruled in favor of the coal industry in a lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency. The National Mining Association sued the agency, questioning its jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act to review permits for mountaintop removal mines. Spokesman for the NMA, Luke Popovich says the industry is happy with the decision:
"We're encouraged and we really think this is hopefully a sign that the EPA will take to heart, and take a long and hard look at how it's going about trying to discourage coal mining and coal production and use in this country."
In 2009, the EPA announced it would be scrutinizing permits for valley fills, which are used in mountaintop removal. The judge's ruling means power over the permits could revert back to the Army Corps of Engineers, which has traditionally had authority over those particular permits.