Appeals court backs EPA's mining restraints, rules against industry in mountaintop coal mining

A federal appeals court has upheld the Obama administration's environmental protections designed to reduce water pollution from mountaintop-removal coal mining.

In a 3-0 decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit said Friday the Environmental Protection Agency acted within its authority when it instituted two measures under the Clean Water Act to address the problem.

In a statement, the EPA welcomed the ruling and said it is committed to consistently using its authority under the Clean Water Act to protect the health and environment of Appalachian communities.

The agency says it is working with states, mining companies and the public to enable environmentally responsible mining projects to move forward.