Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, released the following statement after the U.S. Senate confirmed by voice vote Lanny Erdos to be the Director of the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) at the Department of the Interior.

"I'm pleased the Senate confirmed Lanny Erdos to head the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement. During his confirmation hearing, he demonstrated his knowledge and firm grasp of the wide range of issues before the OSMRE, which is of great importance to coal mining states like West Virginia. I was happy to support his nomination and look forward to working with him.”

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