Interest groups supporting the Revitalizing the Economy of Coal Communities by Leveraging Local Activities and Investing More (RECLAIM) Act, a bill to pump money into distressed coal communities in Appalachia, want to strengthen the bill before the House Natural Resources Committee sends it to the full House. But a coal-mining industry group signaled its opposition to the legislation late last week, a move that could squeeze Republicans who might otherwise support the bill.
The RECLAIM Act, from Rep. Hal Rogers (R-Ky.) and a group of Appalachian lawmakers, would use $1 billion of Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) funding over five years, and is designed to help local communities decimated by the downturn of the coal industry overhaul old mining sites, diversify their economies and create new jobs.
Groups argue this year’s bill has been watered down to attract more support from Republicans. Further complicating the RECLAIM Act’s path forward is the National Mining Association’s (NMA) decision to come out against the bill in a letter to lawmakers on Thursday.
Lobbying fight erupts over coal country bill
The RECLAIM Act, from Rep. Hal Rogers (R-Ky.) and a group of Appalachian lawmakers, would use $1 billion of Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) funding over five years, and is designed to help local communities decimated by the downturn of the coal industry overhaul old mining sites, diversify their economies and create new jobs.
Groups argue this year’s bill has been watered down to attract more support from Republicans. Further complicating the RECLAIM Act’s path forward is the National Mining Association’s (NMA) decision to come out against the bill in a letter to lawmakers on Thursday.
Lobbying fight erupts over coal country bill
