Rachel Dove-Baldwin

Staff Writer

CHARLESTON — The West Virginia Legislature held a public forum on Monday regarding the proposed House Bill 2579 whose topic is the amount of Selenium allowed in state waters. The House Committee on the Judiciary passed the bill out of committee and will it was read for the first time before the House members on Wednesday.

Delegate Justin Marcum (D-Mingo, Logan), one of the co-sponsors of the bill, believes would be a good for WV.

“This bill is great for the coal mining industry. It gives our state the power to make the important decisions that impact our coal mines. By taking away this power from the federal government, we can ensure the best interests of our citizens are intact,” Marcum said.

Delegate Harry Keith White (D-Mingo), another co-sponsor of the bill, expressed his opinion of how this bill would benefit the industry.

“I think it provides some new tools to enable us to continue to get the mining permits to keep people working in the coal industry, which is the livelihood of Mingo County,” White said.

Delegate Rupert Phillips Jr. (D-Logan), the lead sponsor of the bill, believes the bill is vital for the state of WV.

“I think it’s a fair bill, it brings the coal industry to a more level playing field. It’s a well-balanced standard that protects jobs and our citizens,” Phillips said.

Along with Phillips, Marcum and White, Delegates Josh Stowers (D-Lincoln), Jeff Eldridge (D-Lincoln), Ted Tomblin (D-Logan), Mike Caputo (D-Marion), Brent Boggs (D-Braxton), Kevin Craig (D-Cabell), Linda Sumner (R-Raleigh), and Joshua Nelson (R-Boone) are listed as co-sponsors.