On October 22, the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee unanimously reported out Senate Resolution 191 (Yudichak-D-Luzerne, Yaw-R-Lycoming) urging Congress to reauthorize the federal Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fee which is the primary source of funding for Pennsylvania’s abandoned mine reclamation program (sponsor summary).

“More than 5,000 abandoned mine sites have left deep scars across our great Commonwealth,” said Resolution prime sponsor Sen. John Yudichak, Minority Chair of the Senate Environmental Committee. “In northeastern Pennsylvania, we have witnessed an economic resurgence by reclaiming abandoned mine lands for economic development and recreational opportunities. It is vitally important for Congress to reauthorize the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund, so that we can continue to make strides in cleaning up Pennsylvania’s landscape and turn environmental hazards into opportunities.”

The Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund is scheduled to sunset in 2021. The AMRF has been instrumental in providing the resources to help states reclaim and restore abandoned mine lands.

Pennsylvania receives approximately $25 million annually to clean up these areas and to help restore the quality of waterways that have been impaired by acid mine drainage.

SR 191 also urges the federal government to raise the mandatory distribution for minimum program grants states to $5 million to support the surface coal mine regulation program

The Resolution is now on the Senate Calendar for action.

Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming) serves as Majority Chair of the Senate Environmental Committee and can be contacted by calling 717-787-3280 or sending email to: gyaw@pasen.gov.   Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne) serves as Minority Chair and can be contacted by calling 717-787-7105 or sending email to: yudichak@pasenate.com.

NewsClips:

Click Here to read this week’s PA Environment & Energy NewsClips

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Briefing: Trick Or Treat?  Environmental Policies Promoted By Today’s Republicans

Senate Passes Bill To Legalize Road Dumping Of Conventional Drilling Wastewater 26-23 Without Debate

Senate Passes Bill 27 to 23 To Limit Public’s Right To Know Why A Regulation Is Being Proposed

Republicans On Senate Environmental Committee Report Out Bills Slowing Down DEP Permit Reviews, Narrowing Public Appeals Of DEP Permits

Sen. Yaw Introduces Bill To Authorize 3rd Party Review Of Chapter 102, 105 Permit Applications

Correcting The Record: Sen. Pittman Attacks DEP For Not Being Able To Do Its Job; Well Look In The Mirror Senator

Related Articles:

Op-Ed: Let's Get Reauthorization Of The Federal Abandoned Mine Land Fund Done, Get PA's Congressional Delegation On Board

Senate Environmental Committee OKs Bills Responding To PFAS Contamination

[Posted: October 25, 2019] 

10/28/2019