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Western Caucus Slams Obama's Last-Ditch Effort to Continue the War on Coal

Statement

Date: Dec. 19, 2016
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Executive Branch Energy Environment

Today, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) announced the final Stream Protection Rule (SPR) that would supersede the existing Stream Buffer Zone Rule that was enacted in 2008 to regulate surface coal mining.

Congressional Western Caucus Chairman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) and caucus members Rep. Alex X. Mooney (WV-02) and Rep. Glenn "GT' Thompson (PA-5) issued the following statement in response:

"The Obama Administration has squandered taxpayer money for eight years on this new regulation, tried to manipulate job loss numbers and even changed the name. You can't put lipstick on this pig. Whether they want to call it the Stream Buffer Zone Rule or the Stream Protection Rule, this rule still stinks," said Chairman Gosar. "The American people who want good-paying careers have missed out on hundreds of thousands of jobs around the country as a result of the president's misguided "War on Coal.' This overreaching new mandate is his latest attempt to put another nail in the coffin of an industry that provides 40% of the world's electricity. Rest assured, this latest midnight regulation is in the crosshairs of the new administration and Congress."

"The Office of Surface Mining released its devastating Stream Protection Rule this week as a final parting shot on the coal industry by President Obama. I can assure the people of West Virginia that I will work with President-Elect Trump and the new head of the Office of Surface Mining next year to make sure that the so-called "Stream Protection Rule' will not go into effect and further harm the coal industry," said Rep Alex X. Mooney.

"Even in its final weeks, the administration continues to hammer coal country with excessive and costly mandates, which will achieve very few, if any, environmental benefits. The Office of Surface Mining needs to back off this rule, consider the science, and further consult with the states before moving forward." said Rep. Glenn "GT' Thompson.


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