Coal surface mining; refuse control. (SB564)
Introduced By
Sen. Patsy Ticer (D-Alexandria) with support from co-patrons Del. Charniele Herring (D-Alexandria), Sen. Dave Marsden (D-Burke), Sen. Ralph Northam (D-Norfolk), and Sen. Mary Margaret Whipple (D-Arlington)
Progress
✓ |
Introduced |
✗ |
Passed Committee |
☐ |
Passed House |
☐ |
Passed Senate |
☐ |
Signed by Governor |
☐ |
Became Law |
Description
Coal surface mining; refuse control. Prohibits the issuing of a permit for coal surface mining operations unless the applicant affirmatively demonstrates, and the Director finds in writing, can ensure that no spoil, refuse, silt, slurry, tailings, or other waste materials from coal surface mining and reclamation operations will be disposed of in any waters of the Commonwealth, including any intermittent, perennial, or ephemeral stream. Read the Bill »
Outcome
Bill Has Failed
History
Date | Action |
---|---|
01/13/2010 | Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/13/10 10103559D |
01/13/2010 | Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources |
02/01/2010 | Impact statement from DPB (SB564) |
02/16/2010 | Left in Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources |
Comments
It is critical that Senator Ticer's legislation be passed to prohibit the dumping of Mountaintop Removal Coal Extraction spoils (overburden) into stream valleys polluting potable drinking water sources with toxic metals and using these waterways as landfills. This amendment is similar to initiatives in the US Congress to define coal extraction spoils dumped into streams as a pollutant source and a violation of the Clean Water Act (HR 1310). A recent study conducted by a University of Maryland professor recommended that Mountaintop Removal Coal Extraction should be terminated based on the devastating environmental and public health problems it causes.