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November 9, 2009

Senate Confirms Controversial Pick to Head Mining Office
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The Senate has unanimously confirmed the nomination of Joseph Pizarchik
to serve as director of the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and
Enforcement, despite widespread opposition from environmental groups and
critics of mountaintop coal removal. The group Public Employees for
Environmental Responsibility said, “President Obama’s choice to run the
Office of Surface Mining signifies that campaign promises to end
environmentally destructive coal mining practices, such as mountain-top
removal, will be abandoned.”



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