WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Rep. Harold "Hal" Rogers (KY-05) issued the following statement praising House passage of the Preventing Government Waste & Protecting Coal Mining Jobs in America Act (H.R. 2824).

"This bill lets the Obama Administration know that we are not going to allow taxpayer dollars to be used to continue developing job-killing regulations for our coal industry, along with his efforts to remove coal from the nation's energy mix, which will drive up energy bills across the country," said Congressman Rogers. "We need policies and regulations that make sense, rather than the wasteful policies that helped send nearly 8,000 coal miners to the unemployment lines in eastern Kentucky over the last two years. America deserves better. Kentucky deserves better."

This act implements the 2008 Stream Buffer Zone Rule in which the Obama Administration discarded several years ago. It also directs the Department of the Interior to study the impact of the 2008 rule for five years before initiating another new rule. 

Also, during a coal mining-related House Appropriations Committee hearing with the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS) on Tuesday morning, Chairman Rogers introduced the Chairman of Coal Operators and Associates, Charles Baird to testify about issues concerning, what he calls, an "abuse of power" in the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration. In his testimony, Baird stated, "many of our miners have more inspection hours than production hours." 

"I am proud of this hard working spirit that resides in my district, and that Mr. Baird represents. It is time to stop picking energy winners and losers and realize that coal is our best strategic energy resource and keeps food on the table and utility bills low. It keeps our people out of the unemployment line."

Rogers has served Kentucky’s 5th Congressional District since 1981. With a focus on economic development, job creation, fighting illegal drugs and preserving Appalachia’s natural treasures, he has a reputation for listening to his constituents and fighting for the region he represents. For more information, visit http://halrogers.house.gov or follow Rogers on Twitter and Facebook.