H.R.167 - Community Reclamation Partnerships Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R. 167, the Community Reclamation Partnerships Act of 2025, amends the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977. It aims to authorize partnerships between states and non-governmental entities for reclaiming land and water resources affected by coal mining before August 3, 1977.
The bill allows states to enter into memoranda of understanding with federal and state agencies to remediate mine drainage. It also establishes a framework for "Community Reclaimer" projects, where non-governmental entities can participate in reclamation efforts under state oversight.
Finally, the Act includes a sunset provision, meaning it will be in effect until September 30, 2032.
Expected Effects
The Act will likely lead to increased collaboration between states, the federal government, and non-governmental organizations in addressing abandoned mine lands.
This could result in improved water quality, restored land, and potential economic benefits from reprocessing of mine residue. The sunset provision ensures that the program's effectiveness will be reviewed and potentially reauthorized in the future.
Liability for mine drainage projects is clarified, potentially encouraging more states to participate in remediation efforts.
Potential Benefits
- Environmental Remediation: Addresses pollution from abandoned mine lands, improving water and land quality.
- Public-Private Partnerships: Encourages collaboration between states and non-governmental entities, potentially leveraging resources and expertise.
- Economic Opportunities: Allows for reprocessing of historic mine residue, creating potential economic benefits and funding for remediation.
- State Flexibility: Provides states with greater flexibility in managing mine drainage remediation through memoranda of understanding.
- Community Involvement: Engages local communities in reclamation efforts, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for Abuse: The involvement of non-governmental entities could create opportunities for mismanagement or exploitation of resources if oversight is insufficient.
- Limited Scope: The Act focuses specifically on pre-1977 coal mining activities, potentially neglecting more recent environmental damage.
- Sunset Provision: The sunset provision creates uncertainty about the long-term sustainability of the program.
- Financial Burden on States: States must assume responsibility for costs and damages, potentially straining state budgets.
- Complexity of Implementation: The requirement for memoranda of understanding and project approvals could create bureaucratic hurdles and delays.
Constitutional Alignment
The Act appears to align with the General Welfare Clause of the Constitution (Preamble), as it aims to improve environmental quality and public health. It also respects the principles of federalism by granting states significant authority in managing reclamation projects.
Congress's authority to regulate activities that affect interstate commerce (Article I, Section 8) provides a basis for federal involvement in addressing pollution from abandoned mines. The Act does not appear to infringe upon any specific individual rights or liberties protected by the Bill of Rights.
However, the delegation of certain responsibilities to non-governmental entities requires careful oversight to ensure accountability and prevent potential conflicts of interest.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).