Andy Barr Denounces Obama Administration's War on Domestic Energy Production
Apr 2nd, 2010
Says New EPA Guidance Will Effectively Prohibit Surface Mining
and Eliminate Thousands of High-Paying Kentucky Jobs
and Eliminate Thousands of High-Paying Kentucky Jobs
LEXINGTON, KY – Yesterday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a new evaluation standard for water conductivity targeted specifically to mining. Calling the proposed guidance “a direct assault on Kentucky,” Sixth District Congressional candidate Andy Barr pledged to work to protect Kentucky jobs by fighting this new administrative action.
“It is clear from this new guidance that the EPA’s only ambition is to end surface mining in Kentucky,” said Andy Barr. “While the new standard would basically disallow any movement of dirt, the guidance unfairly applies to only one industry out of the many that engage in this practice.
“The EPA has lost all sense of balance in the pursuit of its mission. Instead of encouraging responsible reclamation, the EPA is now pursuing a policy of ‘no change at all’ when it comes to mining, ambivalent to the resource needs of our economy and the industry’s substantial ability to mitigate environmental impact.”
Andy Barr also noted President Obama’s recent announcement of offshore resource exploration that canceled and delayed five existing drilling permits while placing most areas off-limits for seven years.
“While the President announced a few areas of energy exploration, he cancelled many permits that were gearing up for production. As the next Congressman from Kentucky’s Sixth District, I will fight for Kentucky jobs and against this administration’s relentless assault on energy production in this country,” said Barr.
