AG: W.Va.'s mining interests will be protected
AG Patrick Morrisey says W.Va.'s mining interests will be protected when US EPA acts
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) -- West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey says he will carefully comb through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's reach into West Virginia.
Morrisey spoke Thursday at the 40th annual West Virginia Mining Symposium at the Charleston Civic Center. The event is conducted by the West Virginia Coal Association.
The EPA has repeatedly sparred with the mining industry over Clean Water Act-related permits, particularly for mountaintop removal mining operations. Earlier this month, Gina McCarthy was nominated by President Obama to lead the EPA.
Morrisey, who took over as state attorney general in January, says his staff is going to be more aggressive to ensure that West Virginia's interests are protected.
