(no subject)

The rising tide of scientific evidence--and public protest--against mountaintop mining looks set to claim its first major victory. By the end of this year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is expected to revoke a permit allowing mining company Arch Coal to extract coal from the Appalachian Mountains in West Virginia. This would be the first time a permit for the controversial mining practice, long suspected of causing environmental damage, has been vetoed by the agency.