WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Today, Congressional leaders united across the aisle and the Capitol Dome to reintroduce the bipartisan RECLAIM Act. The legislation aims to accelerate $1 billion in available funding in the Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation (AML) Fund over the next five years to revitalize coal communities hit hardest by the downturn of the coal industry.

The RECLAIM Act: Revitalizing the Economy of Coal Communities by Leveraging Local Activities and Investing More, was filed today in both chambers by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Rep. Hal Rogers (R-Ky.), Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-Pa.), Rep. Evan Jenkins (R-W.Va.), Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-Va.) and Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-Pa.).

Leader McConnell and Senator Capito worked diligently to ensure the bill focuses on reclamation of the nation’s remaining six million acres of abandoned mine land, while also enabling economic development on those sites through agency support from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC).

“It is no secret that coal communities in West Virginia have suffered significant economic damage after eight years of harmful anti-coal policies,” said Senator Capito. “Strengthening these distressed regions, and creating an environment where job creation and business investment can thrive is one of my top priorities. The RECLAIM Act will help fund local projects that have the potential to help the region’s economy recover. I’m proud to join with my colleagues to introduce this important legislation.”

“I thank Congressman Hal Rogers for his leadership, and I look forward to continuing our efforts to bring relief to Kentucky’s struggling coal communities through the RECLAIM Act.  By working with local leaders and stakeholders, we will be able to provide additional support for vital environmental reclamation, economic development, and job training in Appalachia,” said Senator McConnell. “After suffering eight years of job losses in the coalfields, Kentucky families and communities are in need, and this bill would provide additional resources to these regions. The RECLAIM Act of 2017 would build upon the successful pilot program that Congressman Rogers and I championed to bring assistance to coal communities, and I am proud to sponsor this legislation in the Senate.”

“The downturn in coal has decimated communities across Appalachia and hurt thousands of hardworking miners and their families. Our towns, counties and states need the resources to rebuild, diversify our economy, attract new employers, create jobs, and give hope to the people who call Appalachia home,” said Congressman Jenkins. “The RECLAIM Act will spur a new era of investment and revitalization in West Virginia and beyond. I commend Congressman Rogers, Leader McConnell, and my fellow cosponsors for their passion for helping Appalachia and their commitment to getting our economy moving again.” 

While the Department of Interior’s AML program has distributed over $8 billion to these communities for reclamation and other purposes since 1977, approximately $2.4 billion currently remains in the AML Fund’s existing, unappropriated balance. This bill will release $1 billion from the fund to stimulate new Abandoned Mine Land cleanup and economic development projects where it is needed the most.

Under the plan, $200 million will be distributed to participating states annually for five years for the reclamation of priority AML sites, which in turn will empower States and Indian tribes to work with local communities to identify and fund economic development projects on AML sites.

The RECLAIM Act follows the successful implementation of the AML Pilot Project, which was enacted in the 2016 Omnibus Appropriations bill. The $90 million pilot – spearheaded in Kentucky, Pennsylvania and West Virginia – provided coal communities with grants to reclaim abandoned mine lands with economic development purposes in mind, create new job opportunities and stimulate the local economy. 

The RECLAIM Act requires the public to be notified during the project planning process and be given the opportunity to comment at public meetings near proposed project sites.  

The RECLAIM Act requires the Secretary of the Interior Department to report to Congress about all RECLAIM projects and the resulting economic benefits.



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