MTR Rule Sets Off Furor (Updated)

The Charleston Gazette reports that "Bush administration officials paved the way Tuesday to revoke parts of a key water quality rule that environmental groups say could greatly limit mountaintop removal mining if it were properly enforced."

Public Broadcasting also has coverage of the late rule change, saying it "makes it harder for environmentalists, and the incoming Obama Administration, to challenge mountaintop removal mining." Audio here.

Update: The Associated Press reports that angry environmentalists have launched an online campaign "urging President-elect Barack Obama to undo a federal rule that clarifies when coal companies can dump mining waste in streams, calling it a long-awaited 'parting gift' from the Bush administration."