Hundreds cheered a pro-coal speaker during a public hearing on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's review of a Logan County mountaintop mining permit in Charleston's Civic Center on Tuesday.

The FACES of Coal rally, held just prior to the public hearing, attracted a large crowd at the Charleston Civic Center on Tuesday.

Rep. Nick J. Rahall, D-W.Va., spoke at the hearing in favor of allowing the permit to go forward for Arch Coal Inc.'s Spruce No. 1 Mine.

Speakers opposing the permit included Danny Chiotos of the West Virginia Youth Action League.

Speakers opposing the permit included Julian Martin of the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy.

Jim Bunn, chairman of the board of the West Virginia Coal Association, addressed a pro-coal rally just before the public hearing, as Rep. Nick J. Rahall, D-W.Va., applauded.