Jim Justice-Owned Mine Cited by Kentucky Regulators for Mudslide Damage to Homes
Kentucky regulators have cited a company owned by coal operator Jim Justice for conditions that they say contributed to a mudslide and flooding that damaged six homes in Pike County.
Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet spokesman John Mura told The Courier-Journal that regulators learned on June 3 about the damages and sent investigators to the Bent Mountain surface mining operation. The operation is part of Kentucky Fuel Corp., which is owned by Jim Justice, a billionaire coal producer running for governor as a Democrat in West Virginia.
Mura said violations on the citation issued Monday involve sediment control, off-permit disturbance, failure to notify, failure to pass water quality and a diversion ditch failure.
In a news release, Kentucky Fuel said it’s offering residents temporary housing, and providing large equipment and workers from nearby operations to help property owners with cleanup.
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