The West Virginia House of Delegates passed a water quality bill supported by the state’s coal industry Friday.
The bill, approved 99-0, would change what happens at a mining operation if it’s found that there’s more selenium in the water than there should be.
“This would allow our coal operators to continue operations and require them to continue to monitor water quality,” House Judiciary Chairman Tim Miley, D-Harrison, told delegates before Friday’s vote.
Miley added coal companies would be required to take samples of the water and submit them to the West Virginia Water Research Institute at WVU and the state DEP.
Selenium is material washed form the surface when the ground is disturbed.
Opponents of the bill say its real purpose is to allow mountaintop removal mining to become more prevalent in the Mountain State
Chairman Miley told delegates the bill is important to the coal industry.
“I know that Democrats are the primary sponsors of it along with a couple of Republicans but I urge all of us to support this bill because it’s important for the coal industry and our miners,” Miley said.
The bill now heads to the state Senate for consideration.
