Under federal law, non-profit organizations who had nothing to do with mining at an abandoned coal mine – so-called “community reclaimers” – could be held liable as if they were polluters themselves.
Congressman Lahood’s bill would address this problem by providing a narrow liability shield for community reclaimer groups who have entered into an agreement with state agencies to clean up land and water impacted by abandoned coal mines.
“Last year, Congress passed Good Samaritan legislation to jumpstart the cleanup of abandoned hardrock mines. Today, the House of Representatives took a big step forward to do the same for abandoned coal mines,” said Chris Wood, President and CEO of Trout Unlimited.
“We thank Congressman LaHood for his tireless leadership and appreciate the Natural Resources Committee working in a bipartisan fashion to ensure swift passage through the House.
“This bill will help make communities and waters healthier throughout Appalachia and other parts of coal country and we look forward to working with the Senate to make this common sense bill the law of the land."
Click Here for the Trout Unlimited announcement.
Related Articles This Week:
-- Chesapeake Bay Foundation Blog: PA Farmers Lament Conservation And Economic Consequences Of Losing Federal Climate-Smart Funding [PaEN]
-- National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition: Republican House Ag Committee Congressional Budget Bill Steamrolls Farm Bill Future, Slashing Billions [Chaired By PA Republican Cong. Glenn Thompson]
-- Call For Presentations: PA Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference Oct. 14-16 In State College [PaEN]
-- Halfmoon Creek Watershed Conservationists From Centre, Huntingdon Counties Visit The Chesapeake Bay [PaEN]
-- Chesapeake Bay Foundation: Pennsylvania Photos Win First And Second Place In Save The Bay Photo Contest [PaEN]
-- Penn State Extension Backyard Stream Repair Series Now Available On Demand [PaEN]
-- Chesapeake Bay Conservation Landscaping Council Level 1 Certification Course Registration Now Open [PaEN]
NewsClips:
-- Chesapeake Bay Journal: President’s Budget Cuts Threaten Chesapeake Bay Restoration, Advocates Warn
-- Public News Service: President’s Proposed Budget Threatens Chesapeake Bay Restoration Efforts In PA
-- Inside Climate News: USDA Staffing And Funding Cuts Would Threaten Virginia’s Ability To Reach Chesapeake Bay Cleanup Goals
-- Erie Times: EPA Great Lakes Office Reeling From Surveillance, President’s Cuts: ‘Death By A Thousand Cuts’
-- Chesapeake Bay Program: Environmental Literacy Programming Rebounds Across Chesapeake Watershed Following COVID Pandemic
-- Chesapeake Bay Journal: Indigenous Tribes Ask For Seat In Chesapeake Bay Program
-- Meadville Tribune: Allegheny College Watershed Conservation Research Center Received Grant
-- Inquirer - Frank Kummer: Why Is Wissahickon Creek Suddenly Fluorescent Green? [Spoiler - Philadelphia Water Dept. Dye]
-- Delaware River Alliance For Watershed Education May 16 Networking & Insights For Young Environmental Professionals In-Person Event In Philadelphia, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
-- PA National Guard Combat Aviation Partners With Coast Guard To Transport Buoys For Maintenance From Chesapeake Bay, Delaware Bay
-- Partnership For The Delaware Estuary: 2024 Annual Report
-- Erie Times: RFK, Jr., Grandkids Swim In Polluted DC Creek On Mother’s Day Despite Advice To ‘Stay Out’
[Posted: May 16, 2025] PA Environment Digest
No comments :
Post a Comment