Pallone Statement on Obama Administration Proposal to Protect Waterways from Impacts of Coal Mining

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, made the following statement on a proposal announced today by the Obama Administration to strengthen rules on coal mining near streams and wetlands, which would increase protections against mountaintop removal mining.

“The Obama Administration’s proposal will help alleviate the wide array of human health issues directly correlated with mountaintop removal coal mining. For the final rule to be fully effective, however, I believe stronger ‘Stream Buffer Zone’ protections are necessary. Overall, the higher standard for water quality is a victory for the health and wellbeing of communities in coal country, who for too long have had to endure the pollution of their water through toxic mining waste. I have been working for years in Congress to put an end to coal pollution and to require mining companies to safely dispose of harmful waste material. I am glad that the Administration has taken this initial step to protect human health and the environment from mountaintop removal.”

Pallone has long been a leader in Congress in the fight against mountaintop removal and has consistently introduced the Clean Water Protection Act to prevent industrial mining waste from entering the water supply and harming human and environmental health.