The Hill News

As constituents living in Congressman David McKinley's district, we'd like to make ourselves clear: jobs are important, and Congress needs to do all it can to help Americans get back to work. However, the need for jobs does not mean that power companies should put arsenic and other toxins from coal ash and scrubber sludge into our rivers, streams, and drinking water supplies. Polluters that donate to politicians’ campaigns should not get a free pass to pollute; and the Transportation Bill should be about creating American jobs, not poisoning American communities.
 
Congressman McKinley made grossly misinformed claims in his article that appeared in The Hill on May 7.  Mr. McKinley ! needs to check his facts: his amendment does not set federal minimum safeguards for coal ash and even worse, it would forever prohibit the EPA from ever providing such protections â€" even if the threat to public health increases.

We are long-time residents of West Virginia who want something done to clean up coal ash dumps, not an industry bill that would keep the EPA from even investigating our complaints.

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