House GOP Mining Reform Package Includes Pilot 'Good Samaritan' Program

摘要

House GOP lawmakers have introduced a package of bills aimed at preventing future contamination from abandoned mines, such as the recent spill of contaminated wastewater by an EPA contractor at a Colorado mine, including legislation that would establish a pilot EPA permitting program to reduce liability for parties seeking to clean up such mines. The lawmakers introduced the three bills Oct. 29, just days after the Department of Interior (DOI) released a report on EPA's role in the Aug. 5 accidental release of 3 millions of gallons of wastewater from Colorado's Gold King Mine. The report called for new federal guidance on protective practices for future mine cleanups.