WASHINGTON, D.C.- U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo) responded today to the Obama Administration’s decision to retroactively revoke a permit for the Spruce No. 1 Mine in West Virginia:

“The American people are worried about jobs, rising gas prices, and paying their energy bills.  This Administration’s EPA has a much different agenda.  This unprecedented action says no to American jobs and American energy.  It is an arbitrary and reckless abuse of power.  Retroactively revoking a federal permit undercuts the federal permitting process and leaves all businesses that rely on the permit in jeopardy of EPA whim.”

Background:

The Spruce No. 1 Mine permit was approved by the Army Corps of Engineers in January 2007.  This followed nearly 10 years of review, including an extensive environmental review.  The Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to retroactively revoke a federal water permit is unprecedented in the agency’s 40 year history.