The Pennsylvania House of Representatives recently advanced legislation authored by Rep. Matt Gabler (R-Clearfield/Elk) designed to protect coal jobs during periods of economic downturn.
House Bill 1557 would update Pennsylvania’s Coal Refuse Disposal Control Act to allow sites to retain their permits during a temporary cessation of operations, no matter the length of the cessation. Under current law, site operators cannot retain their permits if they temporarily cease operations for more than one year.
“Fluctuations in coal markets can create immense difficulty for coal operators and the families who depend on those jobs,” Gabler said. “This idea is the result of discussions facilitated in Clearfield County by volunteers with the Quehanna Industrial Development Corporation. I’m pleased to work on behalf of my constituents in authoring this bill to enable our job creators to be more economically resilient by cutting red tape and removing an arbitrary deadline from our law.”
Gabler noted that all permit and water treatment requirements would remain the responsibility of the mine operator during the cessation of operations.
“This would not absolve anyone of their environmental responsibilities,” he said. “It simply removes a senseless deadline from these job creators, providing stability and predictability for them, their workers and families.”
The legislation now heads to the Senate for further consideration.
“I appreciate the partnership and cooperation of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in this effort,” Gabler said. “DEP voluntarily implemented provisions of a similar bill I authored last session for surface mining, and they are again supportive of our efforts to implement this necessary statutory change. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the state Senate to enact this important legislation into law as soon as possible.”