RECLAIM Act

The RECLAIM Act (Revitalizing the Economy of Coal Communities by Leveraging Local Activities and Investing More Act) was simultaneously introduced in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives on March 27, 2017 by Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Representative Hal Rogers (R-KY-5).

[3] The RECLAIM Act was preceded by and amends the SMCRA, which was enacted in 1977 to decrease the amount of coal dust in downstream water resources and other mining operations that are harmful to wildlife.

Under the RECLAIM Act, extra AML funds will be disbursed over the next five years, giving up to $1 billion to help clean up and restore abandoned mines and foster economic development.

[14] Industry groups have lobbied against the bill, arguing that the Abandoned Mines Lands (AML) funds should not be diverted from their original purpose.

[17] The Heritage Foundation argues it is a poor use of money, deregulation would be better, and the AML fees should be allowed to expire at the end of 2021.