WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a letter to President Barack Obama, Senator Barrasso and seven Senators expressed their opposition to the Administration’s decision to review all state-issued coal permits.
“States have been regulating coal for decades- but now the Obama Administration has announced another decision to exert even more control over our ability to manage our resources. Washington shouldn’t second guess state-run programs that operate within the framework of the law and provide good jobs for thousands of people in Wyoming,” Barrasso said.
The Senators argue the decision could encroach on states’ rights, create a duplicative and costly layer of bureaucracy, and contradict the congressional intent of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA) and Clean Water Act of 1972.
“This Washington power play on states’ rights will undermine the ability of states to manage their coal programs. Ensuring the long-term viability of American coal production is critical for promoting American energy security and creating more Wyoming jobs.”