Sens. Argall, Yudichak announce bill to support coal refuse industry

Sens. David Argall (R-Schuylkill/Berks) and John T. Yudichak (D-Carbon/Luzerne) announced at a recent press conference at the Panther Creek Energy facility in Carbon County a legislative proposal to aid Pennsylvania’s coal refuse industry.

“I grew up on the other side of that mountain, a few hundred yards north of some very large abandoned mining operations,” Argall said. “Senator Yudichak and I have a simple goal here today—to protect local jobs AND to continue the environmental progress which we have seen in the past few decades which is only possible through a public-private partnership. To continue this progress, businesses like this one need to survive.”

The legislation would provide for a 10-year extension of the Coal Refuse Energy and Reclamation Tax Credit from the current mandated year of 2026 to 2036. It would also increase the maximum amount of tax credits to $45,000,000. A provision of the bill would suspend the tax credit if a federal tax credit program that equals or exceeds the state program is adopted.

“Every day across northeastern Pennsylvania we see what a vital resource the PA Coal Refuse Energy and Reclamation Tax Credit is for plants like Panther Creek that are helping us clean up coal refuse piles, and restoring the land for economic, recreational, and conservation opportunities,” Yudichak said. “We need to enhance and extend the tax credit to ensure that these plants are able to operate to their fullest potential so that we can continue the economic revitalization that has been occurring as a result of their diligence in helping to restore these abandoned mine lands.”

A co-sponsorship memo for the bill is being circulated in the Senate. A companion bill will be introduced in the House of Representatives.