Senator Markey's Reply

EDWARD J. MARKEY MASSACHUSETTS		218 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON, DC 20510 (202) 224-2742
	United States Senate May 8, 2015

 

Thank you for contacting me regarding mountaintop removal (MTR) coal mining. It was good to hear from you.

I share your concern over the impacts of MTR coal mining, which is a tremendously destructive practice for the environment. While in the U.S. House of Representatives, I served as the Ranking Member on the Committee on Natural Resources and fought to protect our environment, public health, our national parks and wildlife from destructive practices like mountaintop removal mining. I am honored to have received a 100 percent score from the Humane Society of the United States as well as a 100 percent score since joining the Senate from the League of Conservation Voters because of my voting record on animal welfare and environmental issues. In the Senate, I will continue fighting to protect America's wildlife and our environment.

While serving in the House, I issued a report highlighting the devastating impacts of mountaintop removal coal mining. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has estimated that waste from mountaintop removal coal mining has buried between 1,200 and 2,000 miles of Appalachian streams. This mining practice has harmed communities, been linked to contamination of water supplies, endangered wildlife and threatened public health, all so that much of the coal produced from the Appalachian region can be exported abroad to increase profits for coal companies.

The Obama Administration has begun the process of revising a 2008 Bush Administration rule in order to put in place a stronger rule to protect streams and communities from the impacts of mountaintop removal mining. The 2008 Bush Administration stream buffer zone rule was struck down last month in federal court because the court found that the Office of Surface Mining had failed to properly consult with the Fish and Wildlife Service before issuing the rule. H.R. 2824 would prevent the Obama Administration from issuing a more protective rule and call on states and the Administration to adopt the less protective 2008 rule. H.R. 2824 passed the House on March 25, 2014 by a vote of 229-192. I oppose H.R. 2824 and will continue to monitor the status of this bill. In the Senate, I will continue fighting to protect our environment, our water, our national parks and public health.

Thank you again for contacting me about this issue. If I can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me. To sign up for my newsletter, visit http://www.markey.senate.gov/newsletter. You can also follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

Sincerely,

Edward J. Markey
United States Senator