House Committee Holds Hearing on Reclaim Act

Press Release

A House subcommittee heard today how the RECLAIM Act, cosponsored by U.S. Representative Evan Jenkins (R-W.Va.), will help redevelop and diversify West Virginia's coalfields.

The House Natural Resources Committee's Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee heard from experts about how this bill would spur reclamation and development of abandoned mine lands. Bill sponsor Rep. Hal Rogers (R-Ky.) testified before the committee.

Last year, Reps. Jenkins and Rogers secured $90 million for an AML pilot program to advance reclamation work for economic development initiatives in West Virginia, Kentucky and Pennsylvania. During his testimony to the committee, Rep. Rogers highlighted one of the West Virginia projects, Patriot Guardens, which received $5.3 million through the AML pilot program. The project involves restoration of an old surface mine and combines agriculture and job training aimed at helping West Virginia veterans develop agriculture businesses

"As the House Natural Resources Committee heard, the RECLAIM Act will spur a new era of investment and revitalization in West Virginia and beyond. 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. Congressman Rogers is an exemplary leader for Appalachia, and I thank him and all of our cosponsors for their support for this critical issue. I am hopeful that the committee will consider this legislation quickly and send it to the House floor for a vote," Rep. Jenkins said.

The RECLAIM Act would release $1 billion from the existing Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund balance to help communities that have traditionally relied on coal production for jobs or have recently experienced significant coal job losses. Through this bill, nearly $200 million would be designated for West Virginia over five years, and the state would work with local communities to identify and fund economic development projects on abandoned mine sites.

Rep. Jenkins is an original cosponsor of the Revitalizing the Economy of Coal Communities by Leveraging Local Activities and Investing More (RECLAIM) Act, along with Reps. Matt Cartwright (D-Pa.), Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-Va.) and Rep. Glenn "GT" Thompson (R-Pa.).

The companion to the House bill was introduced in the Senate by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, joined by Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.).

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