Environmental groups are going to court to argue that Kentucky and West Virginia are doing a poor job of enforcing federal clean water rules.
They are suing to compel the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to respond to a request to strip the two states of their authority to enforce the rules. The groups say the states have done a poor job enforcing controls on pollution draining from surface mines.
The Lexington Herald-Leader reports the groups attempted years ago to rescind Kentucky and West Virginia's authority over water discharges at mines. They say EPA did not respond to those requests.
An environmental cabinet spokesman in Kentucky says the state is "implementing the delegated programs appropriately and in accordance with state and federal requirements."