Mountaintop Mining Isn't Finished, But What's the Future?

Anyone who is following the EPA review of Section 404 permits for mountaintop mines should take a look at Ken Ward's blog Coal Tattoo. Ken accurately reports that EPA is not denying the 404 permits for the 2 mines in question (although it is taking the first steps needed to do so)and it has stated that EPA expects most pending 404 permit applications will not present environmental concerns. It is a little early to write about the demise of the coal industry, or even mountaintop mining, based on the EPA action. However, I'll stand by my belief that the Obama Administration is going to tighten up review of 404 permits and take other action to increase the cost of mountaintop mining, and to delay such mining whenever possible, in the hope that marginal operations will drop out, and the cost of coal powered generation will rise to the level of more favored power production methods, like wind power.