Center for Coalfield Justice critical of Wolf’s decision on mining bill
A worker runs a miner machine at a coal mine in Friedens, Somerset County. Corsa Coal Corp. says the mine will create 70 to 100 new jobs and produce some 400,000 tons of metallurgical coal a year. (AP Photo/Dake Kang)
(Harrisburg) — Governor Tom Wolf is allowing a controversial coal mining bill to become law.
The move is angering environmental groups who say the measure gives coal companies the green-light to damage streams.
The new law gives coal companies an exemption from an 80-year-old law protecting Pennsylvania’s waterways.
Veronica Coptis heads the Center for Coalfield Justice. She says she’s disappointed Governor Wolf didn’t veto the law.
“He’s failed again as a progressive leader and is allowing an environmental justice community that’s already been damaged by corporate greed to suffer yet another blow,” she says.
The law could derail a related case environmental groups are pursuing before the State Environmental Hearing Board.
Proponents say the coal mining industry would be upended if environmentalist prevail in their current case.
A collection of interviews, photos, and music videos, featuring local musicians who have stopped by the WITF performance studio to share a little discussion and sound. Produced by WITF’s Joe Ulrich.
