Coal mining company hit with fine that could reach $3.25M

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) – Kentucky’s Energy and Environment Cabinet has agreed to levy a stiff fine against a coal mining company which acknowledged thousands of Clean Water Act violations, effectively barring the company from operating in Kentucky in the future.

The Independent of Ashland (http://bit.ly/1QcMHbp ) reports Frasure Creek Mining and its parent companies, Trinity Coal and New Trinity, will immediately pay the state $500,000. An additional fine of $2.75 million will be levied if any of the companies apply for mining permits in Kentucky in the future.

The agreement came in the final hours of outgoing Gov. Steve Beshear’s administration Monday and followed a five-year battle by a coalition of environmental groups.

In 2010, state officials reached a $310,000 proposed settlement with the company, but environmental groups argued that the fines weren’t high enough.

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Information from: The Independent, http://www.dailyindependent.com

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press.