east, west, appalachian, logan county, west virginia, and farmington, new mexico. americans should be deeply concerned with this trend and the administration's ongoing effort to retroactively pull permits, destroy jobs, and hurt the economy. today we'll hear from folks interested in talking about other topics than the addition regard for the law as dem strait itted by the epa in this instance. there will be distractions about water quality and the general process of mining. none of that is the topic of today's hearing. today is about a reckless administration and an agency that believes it is above the law as they crusade against domestic jobs and domestic energy. i will now recognize the ranking member from new jersey, representative holt, for five minutes for his opening statement. >> thank you, mr. chairman. mountain top removal mining can be one of the most destructive practices on earth for the health of local communities, our climate, and our environment. according to the environmental protection agency since 1992, nearly 2,000 miles of streams have been fill

west virginia's first district to participate in today's hearing. hearing no objection, so ordered. i now recognize myself for five minutes. we will hear an update on the spruce coal mine in logan county west virginia. this is one of the most disappointing legacies of federal bureaucracy in history. the obama administration agency can attempt to single handedly decide to pull permits which destroys jobs and cripples our economy and try to do this without consequence. at the heart of this issue the the lack of confidence in permitting by the federal government. if without cause an agency can veto issued permits then how can any company, contractor or concessionair have confidence to invest in america when their permit is not worth the paper its written on. fortunately u.s. district judge amy jackson found the e.p.a.'s action were a power grab not justified by the statute. the obama administration is committed to a war on coal and is appealing this clear decision. this appeal will consume tax dollars and time in our courts, and for what? to destroy good important jobs for americans. that's the goal of this administration's appeal. they want to destroy jobs and expand the power of the e.

east, west, appalachian at rocky mountains, logan county west virginia, and farmington, new mexico.hould be deeply concerned with this trend and the minister is an ongoing effort to retroactively pull permits, destroy jobs, and hurt the economy. we will hear from folks today your interested in talking about other topics rather than the reckless disregard for law demonstrated by the epa in this instance. there will be distractions about selenium, water quality, and the general process of mining but none of that is the topic of the hearing today. today is about it reckless administration and an agency that believes it is a bubble law. as bay -- they are above the law. i will now recognize the ranking member from new jersey for five minutes. >> thank you, mr. chairman. mountaintop removal mining can be one of the most destructive practices on earth for the help of local communities, our climate, and our environment. according to the environmental protection agency, since 1992, nearly 2,000 miles of appalachian st. 7 filled with debris resulting from now on top removal mining. strange a

today we will hear an update on the ongoing legacy that is the spruce coal mine in logan county in west virginia. this saga is one of the most disappointing legacies of federal bureaucracy in american history. this is the story about how one agency, obama's environmental protection agency, can attempt to retroactively pull permits that destroys jobs and cripples our economy and try to do this without consequence. at the heart of this issue is the lack of confidence in permitting by the federal government. if without cause an agency can retroactively vito issued permits, how can any company, contractor or concessioner have confidence to invest in america when their permit is not worth the paper it's written on? fortunately u.s. district judge found that the epa's actions in this matter were essentially a stunning power grab, not justified by the statute. and yet, even with such a staunch rejection by the courts, the obama administration is committed to a war on coal and is appealing this clear decision. this appeal will concern tax dollars and time in our courts, and for what? to destroy good, im