CHARLESTON —
A unanimous House of Delegates wants West Virginia to set its own safety standards for a substance that ends up in state waters from coal mining.
The Department of Environmental Protection would study and develop selenium guidelines under the bill sent to the Senate on Friday.
Studies have found this naturally occurring element harmful to aquatic life, and to humans with high-level exposure.
Bill supporters argue the federal standards are overly restrictive. They say West Virginia’s fast-moving streams can tolerate higher selenium levels than slow-moving rivers and stagnant lakes.
But if the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rejects the standards set by West Virginia, it could end up in court.
The EPA has been revising its standards since 2004 and says it should have them by the end of the year.
WV State News
March 8, 2013
Unanimous W.Va. House votes to weaken EPA standard
- WV State News
-
- Ex-Alderson town worker sentenced for embezzling
- Inmate escapes from Beckley Correctional Center
- W.Va. theater offers free popcorn, drink refills
- Stabbed tattoo artist recalls details of fight
- Burning cases, student sanctions down at WVU
- Capital Focus: Big decision looms for West Virginia House
- Students suspected in vandalism
- Jobless rates fall in 52 of 55 W.Va. counties
- W.Va. man gets prison for possessing child porn
- W.Va. county's school chief must OK speeches
- More WV State News Headlines
Looking for Love? Take the Prague Metro
Crews Race to Find Survivors of Okla. Twister
First Person: Baby Falcons on a New York Bridge
Oklahoma: Images of Devastation, Reunion
Reunited Dad, Son: 'We Just Praise God'
Slow Pokes: Acupuncture Helps Sick Turtles
Moore, Okla. City of Reunions, Tears After Storm
Former IRS Chief: Can't Say How List Happened
Gov. Fallin: Okla. Facing Horrific Disaster
Tim Cook Defends Apple's Tax Accounting
AP Photograher: 'It Was a Miracle' They Got Out
Raw: Crews Search for Survivors of Okla. Tornado
Raw: Tearful Reunion After Okla. Tornado
OKC Hospital Describes Treating Tornado Wounded
Obama Pledges Urgent Aid for Tornado Victims
Raw: Massive Funnel Clouds in Oklahoma
