A Recent Victory for Creation Care

Celebrate Veto of Mountaintop Removal Permits

An email notice was mailed out today from the National Council of Churches USA for Eco-Justice Programs announcing that after years of litigation and debate, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said "no" to the devastation that Mountaintop Removal mining has on God's Creation. According to the NCC Eco-Justice Team, "Two weeks ago the EPA finalized a veto of permits for a new mountaintop removal coal mine in West Virginia, specifically the Spruce Number One Mine.

The following thank you note was sent to the EPA by the NCC Eco-Justice team:

"Dear Administrator Jackson,
We are writing to express our gratitude for the Environmental Protection Agency's decision to veto the Spruce Number One mine permit in West Virginia. As people of faith, we believe that we are called to be stewards of the Earth and to manage our land, water and other resources for the benefit of all of creation and for future generations. For years we have, as a community, expressed great concern over the destructive practice of mountaintop removal coal mining in the Appalachian Mountains, which favors short term economic gain over the protection of these ancient mountains and the unique culture and communities that depend upon them.

Over the years, mountaintop removal mining has led to polluted drinking water, increased risk of flooding, damage to homes and buildings due to mining blasts, massive amounts of dust, related health ailments, and a devastated landscape.

Your decision to revoke the permits for the Spruce Number One mine reflects the often overlooked negative impacts that mountaintop removal mining has on Appalachia. High rates of poverty, high unemployment, and high illiteracy rates along with damaged ecosystems and degraded human health are being borne by the people who get little benefit and can least afford to adjust to these circumstances.

We support your decision and look forward to working with you in the future to slow the growth of mountaintop removal mining and help communities that have been affected seek justice for their families and future generations."


Click here if you would like to sign this thank you note to the EPA.

To learn more about the NCC Eco-Justice Program click here.