The action was brought due to unpaid penalties and continued operations.
The Department of Justice filed for a civil action against 13 coal-mining companies owned by West Virginia Governor Jim Justice and his son Jay. The Interior Department’s Office of Surface Mining and Reclamation found that the companies had violated federal regulations more than 100 times between 2018 to 2022, causing the governor’s companies to accrue at least $5 million in fines. The fines have not yet been paid and coal mining operations have continued in spite of the violations and penalties.
“After given notice, they then failed to remedy those violations and were ordered over 50 times to cease mining activities until their violations were abated,” said U.S. Attorney Christopher Kavanaugh for the Western District of Virginia. “Today, the filing of this complaint continues the process of holding defendants accountable for jeopardizing the health and safety of the public and our environment.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For attorneys of the Justice Department as they seek to enforce U.S. laws.
- For officials in the Office of Surface Mining and Reclamation as they work to ensure adherence to U.S. regulations.
- That Governor Justice and his son comply with the laws and regulations surrounding the coal mining industry.
Sources: Reuters, Politico
