July 15, 2019
Dear Acting Director Owens,
On behalf of our millions of members, many of whom live in areas directly affected by coal mining operations, the undersigned organizations write to you to express our concerns about Blackjewel/Revelation Energy’s bankruptcy filing that occurred on July 1, 2019. We ask that you work swiftly to exercise the full scope of the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation & Enforcement’s (“OSMRE”) authority to ensure that no mine is left abandoned and that all fees and penalties are paid to federal and state regulatory authorities.
While Blackjewel/Revelation Energy’s bankruptcy took many by surprise, it did not surprise our organizations as we have been closely watching the companies and have seen a troubling pattern and practice of environmental and workplace violations, as well as financial mismanagement. The companies, and their affiliated entities, have dozens of outstanding Surface Mining Control & Reclamation Act (“SMCRA”) and Clean Water Act violations, along with almost a million dollars in outstanding Mine Safety and Health Administration (“MSHA”) fines and penalties.
Read the full letter here.
