MTR Disproportionately Impacting Low-Income Americans

Late last year, OVEC joined with other Appalachian groups in filing a petition to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

In the petition, we charge that the agency has failed to address the environmental justice aspects really human rights issues of mountaintop removal / steep-slope mining. In January, seven members of the assorted groups traveled to DC (six more joined by conference call) to discuss the petition in person with officials from EPA and other agencies.

In all there were 27 federal officials in the room, with more on the phone, including two assistant EPA administrators, a senior advisor to EPA chief Lisa Jackson, OSM Deputy Director Glenda Owens and several from the Army Corps of Engineers.

OVEC organizer Stephanie Tyree said of the trip, "Im continually stunned and inspired by how professional, impressive and amazing everyone we work with is. Theyre some real mountain justice warriors."

The petition urges EPA to incorporate environmental justice considerations into its review of pending applications for mountaintop removal coal mining permits, among other actions. The petition outlines how EPA has the responsibility under Executive Order 12898 to address the environmental justice impacts of mountaintop removal mining, and has the authority under the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, and other laws, to do so.

"The worst polluters have always targeted the communities least able to resist their abuses and protect their homes and families," said Vernon Haltom of Coal River Mountain Watch, one of the groups that also filed the petition. "In Appalachia, coal companies are oppressing residents while they suck the wealth out of communities."

Our petition charges that permit applications should be scrutinized by EPA to identify and address any disparate impacts the proposed mining may have on vulnerable, economically disadvantaged communities.

The petition also asks EPA to create an environmental justice plan and strategy for the region, and to ensure a meaningful opportunity for public participation by the Appalachian coalfield communities in each individual permit review and in EPAs overall permit review process.

Joining OVEC and CRMW in filing the petition are Southern Appalachian Mountain Stewards, Kentuckians For The Commonwealth, Statewide Organizing for Community eMpowerment, the Appalachian Center for the Economy and the Environment and Sierra Clubs Environmental Justice and Community Partnerships Program. Earthjustice is also providing immense help. The petition filing and meetings are only the first steps

Read the petition and its appendix here (in .pdf form): tinyurl.com/EJ-EPA and tinyurl.com/EJ-EPA-2.