S. 3971 (Introduced in Senate) — Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Fee Reauthorization Act of 2020

Section 1 Short title

This Act may be cited as the “Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Fee Reauthorization Act of 2020”.

Sec. 2 Reclamation fee

(a)

Amount— Section 402(a) of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. 1232(a)) is amended—

(1)

by striking “28 cents” and inserting “18.2 cents”;

(2)

by striking “12 cents” and inserting “7.8 cents”; and

(3)

by striking “8 cents” and inserting “5.2 cents”.

(b)

Duration— Section 402(b) of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. 1232(b)) is amended by striking “September 30, 2021” and inserting “September 30, 2028”.

Sec. 3 Increased revenue sharing with coal-producing States

Section 35(a) of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 191(a)) is amended, in the first sentence, by striking “50 per centum thereof” and inserting “50 percent of the amount received, or in the case of any amount received from coal leases, 60 percent of the amount received,”.

Sec. 4 Sequestration provisions

(a)

Exemption of payments to states and indian tribes from the abandoned mine reclamation fund from sequestration—

(1)

In general— Section 255(g)(1)(A) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (2 U.S.C. 905(g)(1)(A)) is amended by inserting after “Payments to Social Security Trust Funds (28–0404–0–1–651).” the following:

“(1) “Payments to States and Indian Tribes from the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund and payments to States and Indian Tribes under section 402(i)(2) of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. 1232(i)(2)) (12–50q5–0–2–999).”

(2)

Applicability— The amendment made by paragraph (1) shall apply to any sequestration order issued under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (2 U.S.C. 900 et seq.) on or after the date of enactment of this Act.

(b)

Payment from withheld amounts—

(1)

In general— From amounts withheld pursuant to section 251A of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (2 U.S.C. 901a) from payments to States and Indian tribes under section 402(g) of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. 1232(g)) during fiscal years 2013 through 2020, the Secretary of the Interior shall distribute for fiscal year 2021 to each State and each Indian tribe from which the amounts were withheld an amount equal to the total amount so withheld from the State or Indian tribe.

(2)

Use— Amounts distributed under paragraph (1) may be used by a State or Indian tribe only for the purposes authorized by section 402(g) of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. 1232(g)).

Sec. 5 Amounts distributed from Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund

Section 401(f)(2) of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. 1231(f)(2)) is amended—

(1)

in subparagraph (A)—

(A)

in the subparagraph heading, by striking “2022” and inserting “2037”; and

(B)

in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking “2022” and inserting “2037”; and

(2)

in subparagraph (B)—

(A)

in the subparagraph heading, by striking “2023” and inserting “2038”;

(B)

by striking “2023” and inserting “2038”; and

(C)

by striking “2022” and inserting “2037”.

Sec. 6 Applicability of certain transfer requirement to payments to States and Indian tribes

Section 402(i)(3) of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. 1232(i)(3)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

“(C) Application—Subparagraph (B) shall not apply to transfers to the Secretary of the Interior for distribution to States and Indian tribes under paragraph (2).”

Sec. 7 Additional grants from Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund

(a)

In general— Title IV of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 is amended by inserting after section 415 (30 U.S.C. 1244) the following:

“416. Additional grants for priority 1 and priority 2 sites

“(a) Definition of eligible State or Indian tribe—In this section, the term eligible State or Indian tribe means a State or Indian tribe—

“(1) with an approved State Reclamation Plan under section 405; and

“(2) that is not certified under section 411(a).

“(b) Additional grants—Of amounts in the fund that are not otherwise appropriated, $140,000,000 shall be made available to the Secretary, without further appropriation, for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2036, to make grants to eligible States and Indian tribes for the conduct of reclamation projects designed to achieve the priorities described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 403(a).

“(c) Requirement—In making grants under subsection (b) to eligible States and Indian tribes, the Secretary shall allocate the grants to those States and Indian tribes based on the amount of coal historically produced in the State or from the Indian lands concerned before August 3, 1977, in the same manner as under section 402(g)(5).”

(b)

Conforming amendments—

(1)

Section 401 of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. 1231) is amended—

(A)

in subsection (c)—

(i)

in paragraph (10), by striking “and” at the end;

(ii)

by redesignating paragraph (11) as paragraph (12); and

(iii)

by inserting after paragraph (10) the following:

“(11) to make additional grants under section 416; and”

(B)

in subsection (d)(3), by inserting “and section 416” before the period at the end.

(2)

Section 402(g) of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. 1232(g)) is amended—

(A)

in paragraph (1), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting “and section 416” after “subsection (h)”; and

(B)

in paragraph (3), by adding at the end the following:

“(F) For the purpose of section 416.”

Sec. 8 State memoranda of understanding for remediation of mine drainage; community reclaimer partnerships

(a)

State memoranda of understanding for certain remediation of mine drainage— Section 405 of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. 1235) is amended by adding at the end the following:

“(m) State memoranda of understanding for remediation of mine drainage

“(1) Authorization

“(A) In general—Subject to the approval of the Secretary and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (referred to in this subsection as the “Administrator”) under paragraph (4), a State with an approved State Reclamation Plan may enter into a memorandum of understanding with relevant Federal or State agencies to remediate mine drainage on abandoned mine land and water impacted by abandoned mines within the State.

“(B) Updates—A memorandum of understanding entered into under subparagraph (A) may be updated as necessary and resubmitted for approval under paragraph (4).

“(2) Memoranda of understanding requirements

“(A) In general—A memorandum of understanding entered into under paragraph (1)(A) shall establish a strategy to address water pollution resulting from mine drainage at sites eligible for reclamation and mine drainage abatement expenditures under section 404, including specific procedures for—

“(i) ensuring that activities carried out to address mine drainage will result in improved water quality;

“(ii) monitoring, sampling, and reporting of collected information as necessary to achieve the condition required under clause (i);

“(iii) operation and maintenance of treatment systems as necessary to achieve the condition required under clause (i); and

“(iv) other purposes, as considered necessary by the State or Federal agencies that are parties to the memorandum of understanding, to achieve the condition required under clause (i).

“(B) Requirement—The strategy established under subparagraph (A) shall be satisfactory to the State and Federal agencies that are parties to the memorandum of understanding.

“(3) Public review and comment

“(A) In general—Before submitting a memorandum of understanding to the Secretary and the Administrator for approval under paragraph (4), a State shall—

“(i) invite interested members of the public to comment on the memorandum of understanding; and

“(ii) hold not less than 1 public meeting concerning the memorandum of understanding in a location reasonably accessible to persons who may be affected by implementation of the memorandum of understanding.

“(B) Notice of meeting—Not later than 15 days before the date of a meeting under subparagraph (A), the State shall publish notice of the meeting in local newspapers of general circulation, on the internet, and by any other means considered necessary or desirable by the Secretary and the Administrator.

“(4) Submission and approval

“(A) In general—Before entering into a memorandum of understanding under paragraph (1)(A), a State shall submit the memorandum of understanding to the Secretary and the Administrator for approval.

“(B) Deadline—Not later than 120 days after the date on which a State submits the memorandum of understanding for approval under subparagraph (A), the Secretary and the Administrator shall approve or disapprove the memorandum of understanding.

“(C) Requirement—The Secretary and the Administrator shall approve a memorandum of understanding under this paragraph if the Secretary and Administrator find that the memorandum of understanding will facilitate additional activities to improve water quality under the approved State Reclamation Plan of the State.

“(5) Treatment as part of State plan—A memorandum of understanding that is approved by the Secretary and the Administrator under this subsection shall be considered to be part of the approved State Reclamation Plan of the State.”

(b)

Community reclaimer partnerships— Section 405 of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. 1235) (as amended by subsection (a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

“(n) Community Reclaimer partnerships

“(1) Definition of community reclaimer—In this subsection, the term “community reclaimer” means any person who—

“(A) seeks to voluntarily assist a State with a reclamation project under this section;

“(B) did not participate in any way in—

“(i) the creation of site conditions at the project site; or

“(ii) activities that caused any land or waters at the project site to become eligible for reclamation or drainage abatement expenditures under section 404;

“(C) is not a past or current owner or operator of any site with ongoing reclamation obligations; and

“(D) is not subject to outstanding violations listed pursuant to section 510(c).

“(2) Authorization of community reclaimer projects—The Secretary may authorize a community reclaimer to carry out a reclamation project under this section for which a request for approval submitted by the State under paragraph (3) has been approved by the Secretary in accordance with paragraph (4).

“(3) Project submission

“(A) In general—A State may submit to the Secretary a request to authorize a community reclaimer to carry out a reclamation project under this section in the State.

“(B) Requirements—A request submitted under subparagraph (A) shall include—

“(i) a description of the project, including any engineering plans that include the seal of a professional engineer;

“(ii) a description of the 1 or more project sites, including, if relevant, the nature and extent of pollution resulting from mine drainage;

“(iii) identification of the past and current owners and operators of any project sites;

“(iv) the agreement or contract between the State and the community reclaimer to carry out the project;

“(v) a determination by the State that the project will facilitate the activities of the State Reclamation Plan under subsection (e);

“(vi) sufficient information to determine whether the community reclaimer has the technical capability and expertise to successfully conduct the project;

“(vii) a cost estimate for the project;

“(viii) evidence that the community reclaimer has sufficient financial resources to ensure the successful completion of the project (including any operation or maintenance costs);

“(ix) a schedule for completion of the project;

“(x) an agreement between the community reclaimer and the owner of the project site governing access to the project site;

“(xi) sufficient information to ensure that the community reclaimer meets the requirements of paragraph (1);

“(xii) a contingency plan designed to be used in response to unplanned adverse events that includes emergency actions, response, and notifications; and

“(xiii) an agreement by the State that, before the initiation of the project, the State shall—

“(I) provide notice to adjacent and downstream landowners and the public; and

“(II) hold a public meeting near the project site.

“(4) Project Approval—Not later than 120 days after the date on which the Secretary receives a request submitted under paragraph (3)(A), the Secretary shall approve the request for the community reclaimer to carry out the project, if the Secretary determines that—

“(A) the project—

“(i) complies with the submission requirements under paragraph (3)(B);

“(ii) will be conducted by a community reclaimer or 1 or more approved subcontractors of the community reclaimer;

“(iii) will be conducted on 1 or more sites inventoried under section 403(c);

“(iv) in the case of a project that remediates mine drainage, is consistent with an approved State memorandum of understanding under subsection (m); and

“(v) is not in a category of projects that would require a permit under title V; and

“(B) the State that submitted the request—

“(i) has entered into an agreement with the community reclaimer under which the State shall assume all responsibility with respect to the project for any costs or damages resulting from any action or inaction on the part of the community reclaimer in carrying out the project, except for costs or damages resulting from gross negligence or intentional misconduct by the community reclaimer, on behalf of the community reclaimer and the owner of the project site, if the community reclaimer or owner, respectively, did not participate in any way in the creation of site conditions at the project site or activities that caused any land or water to become eligible for reclamation or drainage abatement expenditures under section 404;

“(ii)

“(I) has the necessary legal authority to carry out the project; and

“(II) will obtain all authorizations, permits, licenses, and other approvals required by law to ensure completion of the project; and

“(iii) has sufficient financial resources to ensure completion of the project, including any necessary operation and maintenance costs (including costs associated with emergency actions covered by a contingency plan under paragraph (3)(B)(xii)).”

(c)

Clarifying State liability for mine drainage projects— Section 413(d) of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. 1242(d)) is amended, in the second sentence, by striking “Act.” and inserting “Act, unless that control or treatment will be conducted in accordance with a State memorandum of understanding approved under section 405(m).”.

(d)

Conforming amendments— Section 405(f) of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. 1235(f)) is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (6), by striking “and” after the semicolon;

(2)

in paragraph (7), by striking the period at the end and inserting “; and”; and

(3)

by adding at the end the following:

“(8) a list of projects proposed under subsection (n).”

Sec. 9 Department of the Interior study and report on technological innovations for use in the abandoned mine land reclamation program

(a)

In general— Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall complete a study of technologies for use in the abandoned mine land reclamation program established under title IV of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. 1231 et seq.) that would improve reclamation and reduce costs under the program, including the application of technical innovations in the technology development and transfer program of the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, including—

(1)

geomorphic reclamation;

(2)

drone technology; and

(3)

other technologies that would—

(A)

improve overall reclamation;

(B)

reduce costs of reclamation; and

(C)

improve safety.

(b)

Report— As soon as practicable after completing the study under subsection (a), the Secretary of the Interior shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives a report describing the results of the study that includes recommendations for areas of improvement identified under the study.

Sec. 10 Department of the Interior study and report to strengthen oversight of the abandoned mine land reclamation program

(a)

In general— Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall complete a study—

(1)

to identify areas throughout the abandoned mine land reclamation program established under title IV of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. 1231 et seq.) in which costs could be reduced; and

(2)

to determine the ratio of overhead spending in the administration of the abandoned mine land reclamation program described in paragraph (1) to spending on the clean up of abandoned mine land sites.

(b)