A moratorium on new mines is the only way the Rustic Ridge II Deep Mine will not happen, as I gather from attending the Department of Environmental Protection's informal conference Aug. 20 at St. Raymond Catholic Church in Donegal. Even though everyone who spoke was against it being built, the takeaway was that if LCT Energy LP files correctly, it will get a permit.
It doesn't matter that it is an economic disaster for a large tourist destination and will affect campgrounds, trails, a retreat center and more. It doesn't matter that there will be hundreds of heavy trucks on local roads. It doesn't matter that gallons of water will be discharged into Jacobs Creek. It doesn't matter that this company has gotten into trouble before.