U S House of Representatives Committee on Rules : Press Release - Sessions Votes to Defend Access to Coal, Protect Jobs

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Congressman Pete Sessions (R-TX), chairman of the House Rules Committee, today issued the following statement after voting in favor of the STREAM Act, which ensures transparency in the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) over its process of governing the interaction between surface mining operations and streams, known as the Stream Buffer Zone:

'If the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement implements its new rule - which has already cost taxpayers roughly $10 million - the Appalachia region alone would see a loss of at least 7,000 jobs. What's worse, coal production, which is essential to the U.S. economy and powers our homes, businesses, transportation systems, communications systems and manufacturing facilities, would be reduced in nearly half of all states in the U.S. This law would ensure current rules within the OSMRE would be examined carefully to ensure coal production stays at current levels, jobs are protected and consumers can continue to use electricity powered by coal, which costs roughly 30% less than other fuels.'

For more on the STREAM Act, H.R. 1644, click here.

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