U.S. House of Representatives

U.S. House of Representatives (September 21, 2012)

MICHELLE GANASSI Daily American Staff Writer Daily American

1:55 p.m. AKDT, September 21, 2012

The House fired a shot in the "War on Coal" Friday by passing legislation that would prohibit new federal regulations before Dec. 31.

 

The Stop the War on Coal Act, if signed into law, would prevent the U.S. Interior Department from issuing regulations that would adversely affect the coal industry before the end of the year. It also creates a committee to review regulations, limits federal oversight of state-level permitting of the storage of coal combustion waste, and transfers authority of water quality standards from the Environmental Protection Agency to the states.

 

Both U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster, R-Hollidaysburg, and U.S. Rep. Mark Critz, D-Johnstown, voted in favor of the act, which passed the House 233-175.

 

Last month PBS Coals laid off more than 200 employees, citing market conditions and regulatory pressure from the EPA.

 

"PBS Coals Inc. is grateful for the work of our representatives who continue to work diligently to limit the scope and authority of the regulatory agencies that continue to impose unnecessary regulations under our industry and limit job growth," said D. Lynn Shanks, PBS Coals president and CEO.

 

Shuster said the bill will prevent the EPA from expanding its reach, calling the act "good for the industry (and) good for jobs." He said the federal Clean Water Act has taken away states' rights to have their own environmental oversight.

 

"For years states have done it and done it very well," he said. 

 

Shuster said he is also hoping a new president will be sworn into office in January. He said companies such as PBS and Murray Energy Corp. of Ohio, which laid off 1,000 people, have said they can't keep up with these regulations.

 

"This president hates coal," Shuster said. "He wants to kill coal. He doesn't want coal used as an energy source."

 

Although the measure passed the House, it will likely die in the Democratic-led Senate, he said. Nevertheless, the congressman said, it is important for the House to continue passing bills.