We’ve just posted this breaking news item on the Gazette’s Website:

Gov. Joe Manchin has scheduled a press conference for Wednesday morning where he is expected to announce that the state is filing suit against the federal government over the Obama administration’s crackdown on mountaintop removal coal mining.

Read more here.

Coal Tattoo readers will recall that WVDEP Secretary Randy Huffman already hired the Charleston law firm Bailey and Glasser to work on ways to challenge the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s tougher permit reviews and new water pollution guidance. And, the National Mining Association has previously filed suit to try to block EPA’s actions.

Three weeks ago, at a coal industry rally, Gov. Manchin had warned:

Coal mining is the heart and soul of West Virginia. And today we are taking our message and fight to the United States Capitol. I believe the President’s stance on Cap and Trade is wrong, and I also believe that EPA Director, Lisa Jackson, is overreaching the powers within the agency. West Virginia intends to fight back.