Coal Tattoo

Citizen groups oppose Pizarchik for OSM(RE)

pizarchik.JPGI had barely hit the “publish” button on my last post, announcing a Senate committee hearing on Joe Pizarchik’s nomination to be director of the U.S. Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement than an alert dropped into my e-mail in-box from the Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition

OVEC is encouraging its members and supporters to oppose confirmation of Pizarchik to the OSM(RE) post:

Why Joseph Pizarchik Should Not Be Nominated to Head OSMRE
Dear Coalfield Citizens,

We are deeply disappointed and concerned that President Obama has nominated Joseph Pizarchik to head the federal Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE). This is a direct blow to the heart of all citizens living in the coalfields throughout the United States  – and a victory for coal operators.

Mr. Pizarchik has promoted:

-Valley fills burying streams under piles of coal refuse;

-Destructive longwall mining;

-Decreased citizen participation – and formats for public hearings and forums that are restrictive to citizens;

-Decreased transparency and accountability for the decisions of mining officials;

-The dumping of toxic coal combustion wastes into coal mines, often directly into drinking water supplies, without safeguards; and

-A bonding program that fails to guarantee reclamation of the land or prevent water pollution from coal mining operations.

We need your immediate help in opposing this poor choice to head this important federal agency. The confirmation hearing for Mr. Pizarchik is scheduled for Thursday, August 6, 10:00 am.

Please join us in emailing the US Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee asking them NOT to confirm Mr. Pizarchik as Director of the Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE).

Thanks for joining with us opposing this poor choice to head OSMRE.

(The above was excerpted from an e-mail by Lisa Graves Marcucci of the Environmental Integrity Project and Aimee Erickson of Citizens Coal Council.)

Remember the easy-action link here.