National Mining Association (NMA) President and CEO Hal Quinn issued this statement in response to the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) announcement it has placed a hold on mining permits throughout the multi-state Appalachian region. “Jeopardising coal mining activity throughout Appalachia will put more than 77,000 high-wage mining jobs at risk at a time when our nation is already battered by a deepening recession. This action is incomprehensible at a time when the country is losing 600,000 jobs every month and households are struggling just to meet basic needs.”

EPA’s announcement is especially troublesome from an administration that with one hand proposes enormous fiscal stimulus to put Americans back to work and with the other hand takes their jobs away.

“EPA is holding up lawful permits for operations that are responsible for providing affordable coal-based electricity for 77 million households throughout the East.  This action is bad for American jobs and for American energy security.”