"CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The Obama administration has cleared more than three-dozen new mountaintop removal permits for issuance by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, drawing quick criticism from environmental groups who had hoped the new president would halt the controversial practice."

Ken Ward Jr. reports for the Charleston Gazette May 15, 2009. [2]

Ward's initial story was based on an announcement by Rep. Nick Rahall (D-WV). Subsequent reporting in Ward's Coal Tatoo blog [3] includes an EPA statement.