This week, the Environment and Natural Resources committee of the Ohio Senate will consider a bill that would strip the Ohio EPA of authority to issue coal mining permits, delegating that authority instead to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources - a much more industry-friendly agency. 
I oppose this bill, as do EPA and DNR themselves. In fact, the only people to benefit would be Ohio’s coal industry, especially companies like Ohio Valley Coal owned by Bob Murray. Ohio Valley Coal recently applied for a permit to drain one of Ohio’s most pristine streams and fill the streambed with toxic coal slurry. When the Ohio EPA nixed that idea, though, Murray’s coal industry friends hatched a new plan: take away the EPA’s authority altogether. It’s the political version of firing the ref who called a foul on you.

senatorboccieri@maild.sen.state.oh.us

senatorwilson@maild.sen.state.oh.us

Additionally, the bill (Senate Bill 386) would take jurisdiction over appeals of mining permits away from the Environmental Review Appeals Commission and give it to the coal-dominated Reclamation Commission, whose chair doubles as a public representative of the coal industry. We must not allow this bill to pass. Not only will it harm the environment, but it’s the wrong move at this moment of budget crisis; transferring permitting authority to Ohio DNR will incur the costs of training new personnel and establishing a brand new program, when such a program already exists within Ohio EPA.

Write your senators today and say NO to SB 386!!