NICK J. RAHALL II, WV CHAIRMAN DALE E. KILDEE, MI ENI F.H. FALEOMAVAEGA, AS NEIL ABERCROMBIE, HI FRANK PALLONE, JR .. NJ GRACE F. NAPOLITANO, CA RUSH D. HOLT, NJ RAUL M, GRIJALVA, AZ MAOELEINE Z. BORDAlLO, GU JIM COSTA, CA DAN BOREN. OK GREGORIO SABLAN, MP MARTIN HEINRICH, NM GEORGE MILLER, CA EDWARO J. MARKEY, Mil. PETER A. DEFAZIO. OR MAURICE D. HINCHEY, NY DONNA M, CHRiSTENSEN. VI DIANA DEGETTE. CO RON KIND, WI LOIS CAPPS, CA JAY INSlEE, WA JOE BACA, CA STEPHANIE HERSETH SANDLIN, SD JOHN P. SARBANES, MD CAROL SHEA·PORTER. NH NIKI TSONGAS, Mil. FRANK KRATOVIL, JR.. MD PEDRO R. PIER LUISI, PR
lft.~.
3JlaUl1t af Iltprtl1tntatiutl1
([ommitttt ou Natural1Rtllourctll .a.64iugtnu. mm 20515
DOC HASTINGS, WA RANKING REPUBLICAN MEMBER DON YOUNG, AK ELTON GALLEGLY, CA JOHN J. DUNCAN, JR .. TN JEFF FLAKE, AZ HENRY E. BROWN, JR.. SC CATHY McMORRIS RODGERS, WA LOUIE GOHMERT, TX ROB BISHOP, UT BilL SHUSTER, PA DOUG LAMBORN, CO ADRIAN SMITH, NE ROBERT J, WITTMAN, VA PAUL C. BROUN, Gil. JOHN FLEMING, LA MIKE COFFMAN, CO JASON CHAFFETZ. UT CYNTHIA M. LUMMIS, WY TOM McCLINTOCK, CA BilL CASSIDY. LA
TODD YOUNG REPUBLICAN CHIEF OF STAFF
September 14, 2009
JAMES H. ZOIA CHIEF OF STAFF
The Honorable Steven Chu, Secretary U.S. Department of Energy 1000 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20585 Dear Secretary Chu: As you may be aware, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is undertaking an extensive review of surface coal mining permits in West Virginia and elsewhere in the Appalachian region. I write to you to ask that you closely monitor the effect this review of permits may have on the availability of West Virginia coal to regions which depend on that coal for affordable electricity. I also ask that you keep me apprised of your findings. With warm regards, I am Sincerely,
NICK J. RAHALL, II Chairman, Natural Resources Committee NJR:aaa cc: The Honorable Lisa Jackson The Honorable Jo-Ellen Darcy
http;//resourcescommittee,house.gov