In an effort to promote the reclamation of former coal mining sites across the Commonwealth, Reps. Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon) and Jaret Gibbons (D-Lawrence) Wednesday announced the introduction of House Bill 2265 creating a Waste Coal Energy and Reclamation Tax Credit.
“Carbon County owes so much of its history and heritage to coal mining,” said Rep. Heffley. “However, there is plenty of land across the county and Commonwealth that still shows the impact of mining done before the 1970s. We need to do what we can to promote the revitalization of these sites.”
“Creating alternative energy from coal refuse is helping to address the environmental damage caused by bad coal management practices,” Rep. Gibbons said. “The process creates clean energy and thousands of jobs, while also contributing to the cleanup and reclamation of abandoned mine land and waterways. This bill would help those companies in the face of a volatile and depressed energy market.”
Under House Bill 2265, the tax credit would go toward companies involved in the conversion of waste coal. During this process, coal refuse stockpiles (also known as “culm banks”) and are used to create energy. This process has created thousands of jobs at waste coal power plants across the state.
“This past winter was extremely difficult for power producers across the state due to the closing of several coal power plants and most importantly for families facing rising energy costs,” Rep. Heffley added. “Efforts to clean up waste coal sites assist our power grid while also boosting our environment and eliminating eyesores which have been around for decades. These dollars will go directly toward the preservation and creation of quality jobs in our region.”
House Bill 2265 has already received the bipartisan support of more than 20 co-sponsors. The bill is currently with the House Finance Committee.
Identical legislation-- Senate Bill 1346-- was introduced in the Senate by Sen. Don White (R-Indiana)-- sponsor summary.
