Press Release Says, Palin and Parnell Troubled by Kensington Mine Delay
Posted: July 17th, 2009 | Author: Alaska Political News Wire | Filed under: 2009, 2009
July 17, 2009, Anchorage, Alaska – Governor Sarah Palin and Lieutenant Governor Sean Parnell today reacted with dismay to news that a regional office of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is attempting to slow the permitting process for the Kensington Mine near Juneau.
In a letter dated July 14, Seattle EPA Acting Deputy Regional Administrator Michael Gearheard wrote, “We appreciate the need to move quickly on this matter, particularly in light of the hardships being experienced by many in the native Alaskan community.” Nevertheless, Gearheard called for an eight-month review process that “will not allow work to resume this summer.”
“Why another delay?” Governor Palin asked. “Our country is mired in the worst recession since the 1930s. We need more jobs, not more bureaucratic review.”
“We’ve been debating and litigating this for years,” Lieutenant Governor Parnell said. “The U.S. Supreme Court has spoken decisively in favor of the authority of the Corps to issue this permit. It’s time to put those 300 Alaskans back to work – now.”
Construction on the mine has been in limbo since 2006, when environmentalists sued over the issue of tailings disposal. On June 22, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Army Corps of Engineers properly permitted the disposal plan, clearing the way for construction. Coeur Alaska, the mine’s owner and operator, is ready to hire. Coeur spokesman Tony Ebersole said additional delays could cost the company millions of dollars. Ebersole noted the permit has already been under review for nine years and has faced multiple public comment periods.
“Honestly, what more is there to be considered?” Palin asked. “This permit has been studied and discussed and litigated to death. It’s time to get to work.”
The state of Alaska joined Coeur in the litigation. State officials intend to do everything possible to expedite the issuance of this last required permit.
“This is frustrating,” Parnell said. “Once the Supreme Court speaks it’s supposed to be ‘game over.’ We thought we were in the end zone, but the Seattle EPA office is trying to move the goalposts.”