The state House recently approved legislation that would add a member to the Mining Reclamation and Advisory Board (MRAB) to encourage the clean up of toxic waste areas that pollute local waterways.
The member would be a representative of the coal refuse energy and reclamation industry.
The board currently includes four members of the General Assembly, four public members from the Citizens Advisory Council, three coal operators, a member from the county conservation districts, and a professional engineer.
The purpose of the MRAB is to advise the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) secretary on surface coal mining and reclamation issues and to assist the secretary in disbursing funds.
“The coal refuse and energy reclamation industry plays an important role in cleaning up the areas in Pennsylvania that pollute local waters,” Rep. Lee James (R-Venango and Butler counties), who wrote the bill, said. “To be more mindful of how we handle toxic waste areas for everyone’s protection, DEP needs the industry’s help in evaluating methods and practices related to mine land reclamation, as well as in determining how best to allocate state abandoned mine land funding.”
In Pennsylvania, there are 11 coal refuse energy and reclamation facilities.
The bill moves to the Senate for consideration.