NMA Supports Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Fee Reauthorization Act
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The National Mining Association (NMA) applauded the Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Fee Reauthorization Act, introduced by Wyoming Senators John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis, which would reauthorize the fee for seven years, ensuring a steady source of revenue for cleanup activities by right-sizing the fees to better reflect the state of the industry, while also directing the Department of Interior to identify cost savings and tighten oversight of expenditures.
“The coal industry is committed to supporting the remediation of abandoned mines and has already contributed $12 billion to those efforts over the years. Unfortunately, much of those funds have been expended on administrative costs, or gone to projects other than the cleanup of priority mine sites. The coal industry is not in a position to throw more good money after bad so instituting the reforms necessary to maintain a sustainable fund is essential,” said Rich Nolan, NMA president and CEO.
“Importantly, Sen. Barrasso’s bill will encourage better program controls and oversight, while also acknowledging market realities, and deserves bipartisan support to ensure the ongoing successful remediation intended under the AML program,” added Nolan.
Originally created in 1977, the AML fee is set to expire on September 30, 2021; the bill would extend the fee until 2028.
To date, the coal industry has paid nearly $12 billion into the AML fund to reclaim legacy abandoned mines only to see much of those funds disappear. Due to prior weaknesses in program management, just one in three dollars spent by the fund has gone to priority coal projects that the fund was intended to rehabilitate. A General Accounting Office (GAO) report found that between 1985-1990 $360 million, or 28 percent, of the $1.3 billion spent during that period was used for federal and state administrative expenses.
About National Mining Association
The National Mining Association (NMA) is U.S. mining’s advocate in Washington, D.C. and beyond. NMA is the only national trade organization that represents the interests of mining before Congress, the administration, federal agencies, the judiciary and the media — providing a clear voice for U.S. mining. NMA’s mission is to build support for public policies that will help America fully and responsibly utilize its coal and mineral resources.
Headquartered in Washington, D.C., NMA has a membership of more than 250 corporations and organizations involved in various aspects of mining. NMA provides a forum for these diverse industry segments to be informed, heard and represented.
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