National Mining Association (NMA) President and CEO Hal Quinn today released the following statement applauding Reps. Bill Johnson (R-Ohio) and Doug Lamborn (R-Colo.) for introducing the “Preventing Government Waste and Protecting Coal Mining Jobs in America Act” (H.R. 2824) that balances stream protection and mining jobs:
“This bill accomplishes the important task sometimes lacking in public policy: it balances the needs of the economy with the needs of the environment.
“It allows states to first implement proven regulations from 2008 designed to protect streams and requires the U.S. Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) to assess the results thoroughly before embarking upon an entirely new rulemaking procedure that could threaten high-wage jobs in mining communities. This way, the environment will be protected as well as the livelihoods of thousands of coal miners and the many others whose jobs ultimately depend on coal. It is readily apparent from a congressional hearing this week that OSM has yet to demonstrate any need for expending more taxpayers’ money on an ill-conceived proposal that will only cause more uncertainty and joblessness.
“Coal miners and their families everywhere will be grateful to Reps. Johnson and Lamborn for protecting their jobs and incomes.”