News
Help block the Dirty Water Act of 2011 (HR 2018)
Thursday, June 23rd, 2011
The following email was sent to the 50,000+ supporters of iLoveMountains.org. To sign up to receive free email alerts, click here.
Yesterday in the House of Representatives, a bill was passed out of committee that would gut the EPA’s ability to regulate mountaintop removal coal mining and instead turn that authority over to individual states. We have witnessed the overarching influence that the coal industry has had on state elected officials and regulators in Central Appalachia. Giving over the power to regulate mountaintop removal coal mining to the states would ensure the continued devastation of the region and the communities that have lived there for generations.
We need your help to protect EPA’s ability to enforce our nation’s clean water laws:
http://ilovemountains.org/dirty-water-act-2011
The Clean Water Cooperative Federalism Act would gut the Clean Water Act by giving the states, rather than the EPA, the ultimate decision-making authority over our nation’s water quality standards. This would spell disaster in states where mountaintop removal coal mining is practiced, as seen by the states’ abysmal record on permitting and enforcement.
In Kentucky and West Virginia alone, companies commit tens of thousands of violations of water quality standards that go unnoticed and unpunished every year by state regulators. EPA oversight is vital to ensure some layer of protection for communities and the environment.
Take action today- ask your Congressional Representative to vote NO on this blatant attempt to weaken the Clean Water Act:
http://ilovemountains.org/dirty-water-act-2011
Big Coal’s allies in Congress are determined to undermine the EPA, not just on coal mining, but on greenhouse gas regulations, water quality standards, and clean air act laws. Your dedication has made all our progress in protecting Appalachia possible. Don’t let Congress take that all away with one vote. Please ACT NOW and call your Congressperson and urge them to oppose on HR 2018, The Clean Water Cooperative Federalism Act of 2011.
For the mountains,
Matt Wasson
iLoveMountains.org
