A Word Accelerates Mountaintop Mining

By changing the word "waste" to "fill" in a regulation covering coal mining, Bush appointees have allowed an increase in the destruction of mountaintops in Appalachia.

1 minute read

August 18, 2004, 6:00 AM PDT

By Abhijeet Chavan @http://twitter.com/legalaidtech


"The "fill rule," as the May 2002 rule change is now known, is a case study of how the Bush administration has attempted to reshape environmental policy in the face of fierce opposition from environmentalists, citizens groups and political opponents. Rather than proposing broad changes or drafting new legislation, administration officials often have taken existing regulations and made subtle tweaks that carry large consequences."

Thanks to David Hojsak

Tuesday, August 17, 2004 in The Washington Post

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