Breaking News: Change is Gonna Come: EPA Halts Mountaintop Removal Permits

 I found an article addressing all in the nation who will read,  Jeff Biggers: BREAKING NEWS: Change is Gonna Come: EPA Halts Mountaintop Removal Permits in blogs from the Huffington Post, showering us with  great news, giving us a bit of light at the end of the tunnel, so to speak. In the article he tells of the Environmental Protection Agency calling a halt to hundreds of mountaintop removal permits, in order to address their impact on water quality. (Huge News. And a huge step in regulating the health and environmental hazzards created by coal companies blasting the tops off of mountains for coal mining and their management of the waste products being dumped or 'accidently' spilled into drinking water.)* 

"The EPA sent two letters to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers expressing concern regarding the environmental impact these projects have on fragile habitats and streams." said Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. "I have directed the agency to review other mining permit request. EPA will use the best science and follow the letter of the law in ensuring we are protecting our environment." (It is about time. Seems the pressure of two sludge spills in the last 4 months, must of been an indicator of a problem. Although coal production has had caustic and fatal tragedies throughout its long  history, coal keeps producing big energy, bringing in big money, to our government and the big coal businesses, while notoriously and flagrantly disregarding people, our health, or environment. Pressure from individuals and environmental groups affected by the spills, seem to finally woken up the EPA. Or possibly, Obama put the pressure on them to do act, since EPA seldom goes against government without direction.)* "EPA is corrdinating its action with the White House Council on Environmental quality and with the other agencies including the Corps."  (The fight isn't over yet, but as Jeff Biggers says, "It is a huge step forward in our country."  Considering so many lives are on the line, why did even this first step take so long. I have to agree with Biggers, this is huge step.)*