Opinion ID: 1330450
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Coal Permit

Text: On January 10, 1995, the DEP approved an application to renew American Bituminous's coal permit thereby allowing American Bituminous to continue its surface-mining operations in Marion County. [1] More specifically, the coal permit authorizes American Bituminous to mine an existing coal refuse disposal pile. The coal mined from the coal refuse pile is used as a fuel at the Grant Town Power Plant. The permit also authorizes American Bituminous to utilize the site of the coal refuse pile to dispose of the waste (coal ash) [2] generated by the power plant. American Bituminous's coal permit was issued under the provisions of the Surface Coal Mining and Reclamation Act found in W. Va.Code, 22-3-1, et seq., which requires any person conducting coal-mining operations in West Virginia to obtain such a permit. W. Va.Code, 22-3-8 [1995]. Once a coal permit is issued, it carries with it the right to successive renewals. Indeed, a coal permit must be renewed upon the application of the permittee unless the DEP establishes in written findings or the opponent of the renewal proves that: (A) The terms and conditions of the existing permit are not being satisfactorily met...; (B) the present surface-mining operation is not in compliance with the applicable environmental protection standards of [the Act]; (C) the renewal requested substantially jeopardizes the operator's continuing responsibility on existing permit areas; (D) the operator has not provided evidence that the bond in effect for said operation will continue in effect for any renewal requested as required pursuant to sections eleven or twelve of [the Act]; [3] or (E) any additional revised or updated information as required pursuant to rules promulgated by the [DEP] director has not been provided. W. Va.Code, 22-3-19(a)(1) [1994] (footnote added). Any appeal regarding the DEP's issuance of a coal permit under the Surface Coal Mining and Reclamation Act must be made to the Surface Mine Board. See W. Va.Code, 22-3-21(b) [1994]. [4]