Post by Logan on Mar 7, 2016 5:29:37 GMT -6
ST. LOUIS (AP) • Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan's office is considering legal action against the state's natural resources agency for what prosecutors call a failure to follow the terms of a court-brokered plan to toughen oversight of coal mines.
The tougher regulations were part of broader reforms touted with much fanfare two years by the administration of former Gov. Pat Quinn. They followed criticisms by environmentalists who alleged the state Department of Natural Resources was too cozy with mining companies and other businesses it regulates.
The rules included a requirement that regulators provide earlier citizen notification of new mine applications and that mine permit applicants be available to answer questions at public hearings. But two years later, the new rules have not been enacted, and the resources agency now wants to package the new rules with other pending changes that some environmental groups say actually weaken public participation.
"It is frustrating that the new rules are not yet in place," said Ann Spillane, Madigan's chief of staff. "It is past time for the department to stop delaying the implementation of new rules and to fully comply with the court order by allowing meaningful public participation."
Read more: www.stltoday.com/news/local/illinois/illinois-ag-mulling-legal-case-over-delayed-coal-mine-rules/article_ff27b68f-28a5-55bc-937d-ce8a439d3c91.html
The tougher regulations were part of broader reforms touted with much fanfare two years by the administration of former Gov. Pat Quinn. They followed criticisms by environmentalists who alleged the state Department of Natural Resources was too cozy with mining companies and other businesses it regulates.
The rules included a requirement that regulators provide earlier citizen notification of new mine applications and that mine permit applicants be available to answer questions at public hearings. But two years later, the new rules have not been enacted, and the resources agency now wants to package the new rules with other pending changes that some environmental groups say actually weaken public participation.
"It is frustrating that the new rules are not yet in place," said Ann Spillane, Madigan's chief of staff. "It is past time for the department to stop delaying the implementation of new rules and to fully comply with the court order by allowing meaningful public participation."
Read more: www.stltoday.com/news/local/illinois/illinois-ag-mulling-legal-case-over-delayed-coal-mine-rules/article_ff27b68f-28a5-55bc-937d-ce8a439d3c91.html