From Appalachian Voices (http://www.appvoices.org/):
Senator Joe Manchin (WV) has released two bills to clean up abandoned coal mines and provide immediate jobs and longer-term economic rejuvenation.
The need for these bills is urgent. In Appalachia and across the country, thousands of decades-old abandoned mines pose safety risks to residents, pollute air and water, and are a drag on economic progress in those communities.
- 1447 would reauthorize the Abandoned Mine Lands Program responsible for cleaning up these sites. The coal mining fee that funds the program will expire in four months if Congress does not act!
- 1455, the RECLAIM Act, provides a clear way for lawmakers to bring new jobs to communities near abandoned mines. It prioritizes cleaning up sites that are connected to long-term community and economic projects that have local support.
These bills are companions to Rep. Matt Cartwright’s HR 1734 and HR 1733 introduced in the House. There is strong momentum for this legislation. Congress must pass these bills into law and ensure the people who powered our country for generations are not left behind.
Join our coalition allies and send letters to your members of Congress now at https://reclaimact.com/take-action!
Leave a Reply