Mount Hope native Ethel Caffie-Austin died on Dec. 11
She started playing the piano when she was six years old and by nine was accompanying her minister father during his services. While studying ...
President Trump Signs Bill Dismantling Stream Protections
Listen
Share this Article
While surrounded by coal-state lawmakers and coal miners, President Trump signed a bill this week that rolls back an environmental rule designed to protect streams from coal mining debris.
Miners wearing hard hats and overalls stood with politicians in suits during the bill signing at the Whitehouse. Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell, of Kentucky, thanked the president for supporting the coal industry.
“The last eight years brought a depression to eastern Kentucky,” McConnell said. “And our folks are so excited to have a pro-coal president and we thank you so much for being on our side.”
West Virginia’s democratic senator Joe Manchin said coal miners there represent the economy and the environment, and a balance must be struck.
West Virginia’s republican senator Shelley Moore-Capito was also there. Afterwards in a release she said the President Trump “signaled an end to years of overregulation targeting the coal industry and vital jobs in West Virginia.”
The signed bill dismantles a Department of Interior regulation finalized just days before Trump took office.
An injunction from West Virginia’s 23rd Judicial Circuit Court postponed a Jefferson County Planning Commission hearing regarding a water bottling plant proposed for the community of Middleway.
Last week, state lawmakers spoke of convening a special session to pass an incentive package for a company interested in providing power for a data center in southern West Virginia.
Lauren McFerran’s term expires on Monday. If she isn’t confirmed and Biden doesn’t nominate anyone else, Republicans will have the majority on the board after President-elect Donald Trump takes office.