EPA poised to issue final mountaintop mining guidance

The White House signed off Wednesday on guidance aimed at strengthening permitting requirements for mountaintop mining operations, signaling the Environmental Protection Agency soon will release a final proposal.

Mountaintop mining is a controversial practice in which companies use explosives to gain access to valuable coal seams. Environmental groups have long criticized the practice, noting that it pollutes nearby waterways.

EPA issued interim guidance in April of last year clarifying existing pollution limits for waterways under the Clean Water Act and presenting new science that showed the effects of mountaintop mining pollution on aquatic life, among other things.

Industry challenged the guidance, arguing it is overreaching and unrealistic.

EPA is expected to release final guidance as soon as later Thursday, according to one environmental group source closely tracking the issue.

UPDATE: EPA issued its final guidance shortly after this story was published. You can read the guidance here. The Hill will post a full story shortly.