House Committee Approves RECLAIM Act

Press Release

A House committee on Tuesday approved the RECLAIM Act, legislation cosponsored by U.S. Representative Evan Jenkins (R-W.Va.) that will help redevelop and diversify West Virginia's coalfields to attract more jobs.

Through this bill, nearly $200 million would be designated for West Virginia over five years to fund reclamation work on abandoned mine lands so they can be used for economic development. Without reclamation work, these abandoned mine lands cannot be redeveloped and used to attract new industries and jobs.

The House Natural Resources Committee voted the bill out by voice vote Tuesday morning, and the bill now heads to the House floor for consideration.

"The RECLAIM Act will spur a new era of investment and revitalization in West Virginia and beyond. We can take sites that are abandoned today and help turn them into economic drivers for West Virginia. These sites can be reclaimed and used to attract new industries, create new jobs, and give hope back to our coal communities. I appreciate the committee's support for this important bill and commend Congressman Rogers for his leadership in Appalachia," 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.

Rep. Jenkins is an original cosponsor of the Revitalizing the Economy of Coal Communities by Leveraging Local Activities and Investing More (RECLAIM) Act, sponsored by Rep. Hal Rogers (R-Ky.). Other original cosponsors are 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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