EPA support of Hobet 45 permit good news

United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) International President Cecil E. Roberts issued the following statement today:

“The news today that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) supports the issuance of a permit to the Hobet 45 mine in Boone County, W. Va., is good news for everyone – our members, their families, their communities, their company and the state of West Virginia. We sincerely hope that final approval of this permit from the Army Corps of Engineers comes quickly.

“Many people worked very hard on this. I want to especially commend Rep. Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.) for his personal involvement in working with the company and EPA to get this permit approved. He fought for those jobs, and deserves the thanks of everyone involved.

“I also commend Patriot Coal for its willingness to work with the EPA and meet the agency’s concerns with respect to this permit so that it could be approved. I am pleased that our members working at Hobet will be able to continue providing for their families and contributing to their communities’ economic survival in these difficult times.”