In the News

STREAM Act legislation passes Congress

The Scranton Times-Tribune

Washington, December 23, 2022

Tags: Jobs and the Economy , Fiscal Responsibilty , Energy and Environment , Local Issues

“Acid mine drainage continues to pose serious health risks and impedes economic development in Northeastern Pennsylvania communities with a history of coal mining,” said Rep. Cartwright. “The unprecedented levels of funding in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, maximized by the STREAM ACT, will help restore safe drinking water, bring impaired ecosystems back to life and, in the process, revive economic and recreational opportunities by eliminating our legacy coal pollution.”

Legislation aimed at addressing the negative impact of acid mine drainage passed Congress via the Fiscal Year 2023 spending bill, U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright and U.S. Rep. David McKinley announced Friday.

The Safeguarding Treatment for the Restoration of Ecosystems from Abandoned Mines Act will allow states and tribes to set aside a portion of the abandoned mine land funding from the federal Infrastructure and Jobs Act to treat acid mine drainage, reduce long-term water pollution and invest in the economic health of communities, the legislators said in a press release.