Support the RECLAIM Act
In April, the RECLAIM Act was introduced in Congress with bipartisan sponsorship for the crucial initiative supporting coal-impacted communities across the nation. The bill, H.R. 2156, introduced by Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-Penn.) and Rep. Hal Rogers (R-Ky.), amends the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 to fund state and tribal projects to promote economic revitalization, diversification, and development in economically distressed communities through reclamation and restoration of land and water resources adversely affected by coal mining. It would invest $1 billion over five years in already collected abandoned mine land fund (AML) fees to create jobs and accelerate reclamation.
The RECLAIM Act would assist communities struggling with the decline of the coal industry in their region to transition to strong, just and sustainable local economies. By prioritizing mine reclamation projects that would spur economic development and diversification, the bill would create thousands of jobs across the country reclaiming old coal mines and would create economic opportunities in agriculture, energy, recreational tourism and more. The RECLAIM Act merely prioritizes the spending of already existing AML funds.
The bill would provide an immediate economic boost to communities and could put laid off miners – who possess the skills necessary for this type of reclamation work – and others to work. Government estimates show the funds could create at least 4,600 direct reclamation jobs across the country.
The RECLAIM Act’s sponsorship has grown to 39 members of Congress, and the bill received bipartisan support and passage from the House Natural Resources Committee on May 1st. A version of the RECLAIM Act has also been introduced in the Senate.