Stover set out for his week-long trek on November 16 to raise awareness about coal and its tie to the West Virginia economy, sitting down with Rahall last week on Capitol Hill.
However, it was not the first time the two of them met.
“I was privileged to welcome Bugs to Washington after his first walk on behalf of coal more than thirty years ago,” Rahall said.
“Those today who look at Bugs’ march to Washington as long and lonely are only half right.
“By any stretch, the years haven't made the journey any shorter but whether they know it or not, Bugs marched with millions who benefit from coal.”
Congressman Rahall, a longtime coal industry advocate, said he first met Stover on the steps of the US Capitol in 1980 when the driven walker came to Washington carrying a bucket of coal, looking to promote awareness about the nation’s energy independence.
In their most recent meeting, the state official said coal’s future was again a topic of discussion and he promised Stover that his bipartisan push to bringing change to the position of the US Environmental Protection Agency on coal and coal-fired electricity would continue as he sought to reverse the federal agency’s agenda against the coal industry.
Rahall has already been to work on this endeavor in Congress.
He shepherded his bill, HR 2018 or the Clean Water Cooperative Federalism Act, though the US House.
The bill aims to stop the EPA’s interference with West Virginia coal mining permits and permit state officials to issue legally permissible mining permits.
Also, the “Stop the War on Coal Act” that recently passed by the house included some significant provisions of Rahall’s proposal.
“Coal is not dead,” Stover said.
“I met with Congressman Rahall and he assured me he would continue to work with Republicans and Democrats to bring change in the EPA's position on coal and coal-fired electricity.”
Rahall said the EPA’s actions went against progress, particularly in the present economy.
“At a time when so many families are struggling and our nation needs every job it can get, it is not only cruel and heartless but nonsensical for the EPA to be undermining those jobs that do exist,” he said.
“I have stood up against the EPA and spoken out fervently against the agency’s abuse of the law [and] have worked in Congress to prevent the agency from circumventing the law and the people.
“And as long as the EPA continues to attack our miners, I will keep on fighting by their side.”
