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

DateAction
01/13/2010Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/13/10 10103559D
01/13/2010Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
02/01/2010Impact statement from DPB (SB564)
02/16/2010Left in Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources

Comments

Larry Grossman writes:

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.