EPA Finalizes Mountain-Top Mining Rules
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized the guidelines for surface mining and they include a new standard for judging the impact of mining operations on regional water quality. The surface mining guidelines have caused quite a controversy in the Appalachian coal county that includes Eastern Kentucky.
The guidelines are to be used by regulators to review before granting applications for surface mine permits. The new guidelines are likely to protect the quality of water and aquatic life better in areas where mountain-top strip mining operations are in progress. The environmental groups have seen the new guidelines as a significant improvement over previous regulations.
Earth Justice Senior Legislative Counsel Joan Mulhern said that they were glad to see Administrator Lisa Jackson follow through on her commitment to finalize this important staff guidance, which is a considerable step toward giving Appalachian communities their rightful protections under existing law and following sound science
The coal industry on the other hand is arguing that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has put in the guidelines improperly and the coal mining companies cannot meet all the requirements. They say that the guidelines will trouble companies from getting permits and will result in a loss of production and maybe even loss of jobs in the Eastern Kentucky and Central Appalachia region.
The National Mining Association said that the EPA guidance goes beyond its Clean Water Act authority. NMA President Hal Quinn said that despite the administration’s pledges to focus on jobs creation, today’s final guidance is a jobs destroyer and does nothing to cure EPA’s unlawful permit moratorium on coal mining in Appalachia.
Written by
Joel relocated to Australia in 1995 from the United Kingdom and spent five years working in the mining industry as an exploration geotechnician. His role involved utilizing GIS mapping and CAD software. Upon transitioning to the North Coast of NSW, Australia, Joel embarked on a career as a graphic designer at a well-known consultancy firm. Subsequently, he established a successful web services business catering to companies across the eastern seaboard of Australia. It was during this time that he conceived and launched News-Medical.Net. Joel has been an integral part of AZoNetwork since its inception in 2000. Joel possesses a keen interest in exploring the boundaries of technology, comprehending its potential impact on society, and actively engaging with AI-driven solutions and advancements.
Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:
APA
Scanlon, Joel. (2019, February 18). EPA Finalizes Mountain-Top Mining Rules. AZoMining. Retrieved on February 01, 2026 from https://www.azomining.com/News.aspx?newsID=4561.
MLA
Scanlon, Joel. "EPA Finalizes Mountain-Top Mining Rules". AZoMining. 01 February 2026. <https://www.azomining.com/News.aspx?newsID=4561>.
Chicago
Scanlon, Joel. "EPA Finalizes Mountain-Top Mining Rules". AZoMining. https://www.azomining.com/News.aspx?newsID=4561. (accessed February 01, 2026).
Harvard
Scanlon, Joel. 2019. EPA Finalizes Mountain-Top Mining Rules. AZoMining, viewed 01 February 2026, https://www.azomining.com/News.aspx?newsID=4561.
We're committed to providing free access to quality science. By registering and providing insight into
your preferences you're joining a community of over 1m science interested individuals and help us to
provide you with insightful content whilst keeping our service free.
or
Terms
While we only use edited and approved content for Azthena
answers, it may on occasions provide incorrect responses.
Please confirm any data provided with the related suppliers or
authors. We do not provide medical advice, if you search for
medical information you must always consult a medical
professional before acting on any information provided.
Your questions, but not your email details will be shared with
OpenAI and retained for 30 days in accordance with their
privacy principles.
Please do not ask questions that use sensitive or confidential
information.
Read the full Terms & Conditions.