Governor Tomblin Joins West Virginia Delegation For Meeting with New EPA Administrator

Press Release

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin spoke directly with newly appointed Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy regarding the impact of the federal agency's far-reaching policies on West Virginians.

"Just days ago, Ms. McCarthy asked an audience at Harvard Law School, "Can we stop talking about environmental regulations killing jobs, please?' Today, I took the opportunity to tell her that West Virginian's will not stop talking about our jobs--and will not stop fighting for coal."

Gov. Tomblin also noted in his remarks to McCarthy that hundreds of West Virginians are now out of work due to EPA's overzealous, ideological, and financially devastating policies that have led to the closure of coal mines and coal-fired power plants in our state. McCarthy responded by promising to provide an open dialogue and consider the effects of policies on working men and women in West Virginia.

"From the more than 24,000 coal industry employees and their families, to the thousands more employed by support industries like rail, barge, and electric transmission, West Virginians rely on the energy sector to provide food, clothing and shelter. We're proud of our coal mining heritage and our ranking as the third largest energy producing state. That's why I will always fight for coal. I will always fight for our families.

Gov. Tomblin met with McCarthy along with top administration officials, Senator Joe Manchin, Representative Nick Rahall, members of the West Virginia state legislative leadership as well as business and labor representatives.

Source