Description:
H.R. 2937 would authorize states with abandoned mine reclamation plans to enter into agreements with the federal government aimed at reducing water pollution caused by abandoned mines. Under the bill, states and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) conducting certain water treatments under those agreements would not be required to meet water quality standards under the Clean Water Act.
Based on information provided by the Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation, and Enforcement, CBO estimates that implementing the legislation would cost less than $500,000 a year over the 2018-2022 period; such spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds. Those funds would be used to cover administrative costs associated with approving agreements between the agency and states and authorizing NGOs to carry out projects to treat water pollution caused by mine drainage.
Enacting H.R. 2937 would not affect direct spending or revenues; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply. CBO estimates that enacting the bill would not increase net direct spending or on-budget deficits in any of the four consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2028.
H.R. 2937 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act. The bill would allow state governments to assume full liability for contaminated sites that community organizations choose to help remediate. Any costs that states might incur as a result of assuming full liability for those sites would result from participation in a voluntary federal program. Under the bill, contaminated sites would be eligible for federal grants to fund cleanup activities.
