On Monday, The Subcommittee on Energy and Power held a public hearing in Abingdon VA to discuss a new EPA regulation that could mean a dramatic loss of jobs in the area’s coal mining industry. Miners and EPA supporters alike packed out the hearing as Congressmen Phil Roe, Morgan Griffith, and Edward Whitfield , announced the EPA has placed a standard on CO2 Emissions from coal power facilities that Industry leaders say will mean fewer jobs for coal miners and higher energy prices for Americans. EPA Supporters admitted the new regulation could kill coal jobs but said the loss of jobs could help the local economy. However Barbara Althauser with the Eastern Coal Council says the coal mining jobs are too important to lose and that the new regulation is nothing less than an attack on our region. Supporters of the EPA regulation that the EPA wasn’t to blame for the job-killing regulation. (hra)