Support the Coal Jobs Protection Act
Dear FreedomWorks Member,
On behalf of our more than 4 million members nationwide, I urge you to contact your Senators and Representatives in Congress and tell them to support the Coal Jobs Protection Act: S. 861 in the Senate and H.R. 1829 in the House of Representatives.
In accordance with the Clean Water Act, coal mining companies are currently required to apply for 402 and/or 404 permits through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) which regulate the potential discharge of pollutants, dredge and fill material from mining operations. However, the EPA has recently been delaying the review and approval process for these permits, hampering the American coal industry.
As a result, thousands of coal jobs have been lost across the country and untold capital investment has been either misallocated or paralyzed. Coal is here, abundant and produces nearly 30 percent of all domestic energy. Global economies and energy demand have begun to catch up with the United States forcing Americans to pay unprecedented prices for energy. At a time like this, the coal industry should be free to meet American demand for affordable energy without having to worry about bureaucratic hurdles.
This is why I implore you to tell your elected officials in Congress to support the Coal Jobs Protection Act. This legislation sets a 270 day and 90 day time limit for EPA review on 402 and 404 permits respectively. If the government misses their deadlines, then, under this act, the permits will automatically be approved. This legislation gives government an incentive to fulfill its obligations expeditiously and gives energy businesses the kind of certainty required to save jobs, properly allocate capital, and ultimately lower prices.
Thus I urge you to contact your elected officials in Congress in support of the Coal Jobs Protection Act, tell your two Senators to support S. 861, and your Congressman to support H.R. 1829.
In Liberty,
Matt Kibbe
President and CEO
FreedomWorks
