U.S. Senate committee to hear testimony on mountaintop removal. Watch it online.

More than 60 Appalachian coalfield residents are in Washington DC at this moment waiting for the start of the Senate committee hearing on mountaintop removal. The 3:30 p.m. EDT hearing before a subcommittee of the Senate Public Works Committee will look specifically at the impacts of water quality resulting from this practice.

A KFTC delegation is part of the group gathered. They spent yesterday and last night helping prepare personal stories and data for committee members. They also were excited to receive supportive statements from Kentucky members in the U.S. House, Reps. John Yarmuth and Ben Chandler.