Legislation would add a member to the mining advisory board

Recently introduced legislation would add a member of the coal refuse energy and reclamation industry to the Mining Reclamation and Advisory Board (MRAB).

The MRAB is comprised of four members of the General Assembly, four public members from the Citizens Advisory Council, a member from the county conservation districts, a professional engineer, and three coal operators. The board assists the secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection in disbursing funds and advises the secretary on surface coal mining and reclamation issues.

“It’s important for the board to represent the coal refuse and energy reclamation industry, especially since this industry works to clean up parts of the Commonwealth that pollute our local waters,” Rep. Lee James (R-Venango/Butler), who introduced the bill, said. “We must be mindful of how we handle toxic waste areas for the safety of all Pennsylvanians.”

There are 11 coal refuse energy and reclamation facilities in the state. These facilities remediate polluting coal refuse piles and provide alternative energy in the anthracite and bituminous coal regions.

Annually, the facilities can reclaim approximately 200 acres of mining-affected land and remove more than 10 million tons of coal refuse from the environment.

The bill was referred to the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee for consideration.