H.R. 2018, the Clean Water Cooperative Federalism Act sponsored by Representative John Mica (R-FL) and Representative Nick Rahall (D-WV), passed a floor vote in the U.S. House of Representatives Wednesday night with 239 votes in favor of the legislation. The bill asserts that states should have the primary responsibility for regulation of  water resources within their borders, not the EPA. Passage of this bill is an attempt by Congress to reopen the permitting process for multiple industries that have been stuck in an EPA-imposed moratorium on state approved permits. As an example, nearly 200 mining permits have been trapped in EPA "limbo," without any action or decision rendered for more than two years.

“The action that we’ve seen from EPA has unleashed an unprecedented backlash,” said House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Mica. "Everyone has called this a huge power grab by EPA and EPA has indeed created a regulatory nightmare that affects almost every state in the union."  Rep. Rahall, the ranking member on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, accused EPA of "strong-arming the states" on water permits and of creating an "atmosphere of worry, of distrust and of bitterness."

"The EPA has been out of control since this Administration came to office, especially here in Appalachia. Passage of this bill offers residents throughout the region hope for some economic and job security, which the EPA has not been willing to consider," said Bryan Brown, Executive Director of West Virginia FACES of Coal. "The EPA has taken no action on nearly 200 mining permits for more than two years in Appalachia alone. It’s about time Congress noticed the harm the agency is doing to West Virginia, and to our country."

Brown continued, "The leadership shown by West Virginia’s Congressional delegation is very impressive and rewarding for all residents of the Mountain State. The economic uncertainty caused by the EPA and their actions has been extremely frustrating, but it is helpful and comforting to know that our elected leaders in Washington, D.C. are fighting for our jobs and for our quality of life."