Pledging
These are the original issues in this subcategory
- MOUNTAINTOP REMOVAL MINING
- HARDROCK MINING
- ACID MINE DRAINAGE
Many of the cities and states which fostered our Industrial Revolution grew to prominence because they were situated on rich coal deposits. Coal mining, including surface mining, was common in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and throughout the Appalachian region. However, many of these mines were improperly abandoned when they stopped producing, leaving behind residual waste pits and piles of debris tailings exposed to the elements. Sulfuric Acid is created when water and air oxidize the metal sulfides in the surrounding rock or tailings of coal and metal mines. This acidic compound kills most organic life as it seeps into the ground and drains into lakes and streams. Also, since many coal mines were situated below sea level, pumps were required to remove water that accumulated in these mines when they were producing. This pumping was halted after these mines closed but the acidic water that filled many underground caverns is now migrating into our waterways. Environmentalists say the formation of sulfuric acid is unavoidable and irreversible once acid-generating rock is crushed and exposed to moisture and oxygen. This process can continue for thousands of years until the sulfide minerals in the rock are exhausted. Roman-era mines have been discovered which are still producing acid drainage.
The 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act authorized $11.293 billion for the Dept of the Interior’s Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund. Reclamation is the combined process by which adverse environmental effects of surface mining are minimized and mined lands are returned to a beneficial end use. End uses may be open space, wildlife habitat, agriculture, or residential and commercial development.
Pending Legislation: H.R.1865 - Mining Waste, Fraud, and Abuse Prevention Act of 2025
Co-Sponsor: Rep. Jard Huffman (CA)
Status: House Committee on Natural Resources
Chair: Rep. Bruce Westerman (AR)
The 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act authorized $11.293 billion for the Dept of the Interior’s Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund. Reclamation is the combined process by which adverse environmental effects of surface mining are minimized and mined lands are returned to a beneficial end use. End uses may be open space, wildlife habitat, agriculture, or residential and commercial development.
Pending Legislation: H.R.1865 - Mining Waste, Fraud, and Abuse Prevention Act of 2025
Co-Sponsor: Rep. Jard Huffman (CA)
Status: House Committee on Natural Resources
Chair: Rep. Bruce Westerman (AR)
- I oppose reforming current acid mine drainage policy and wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Speaker Mike Johnson (LA).
- I support modernizing outdated hardrock mining regulations on public lands, aiming to increase environmental protections, ensuring companies pay fair royalties (8-12.5%), mandating reclamation of abandoned mines, and replacing the old claim system with a leasing model, holding operators accountable for damage and costs by: 1.) Converting existing claims to a leasing system, requiring annual rent and competitive bidding for new operations. 2.) Establishing royalties on mineral production (8-12.5%) to ensure public lands benefit taxpayers. 3.) Strengthening regulations, requiring environmental impact reviews, and ensuring cleanup of polluted sites. 4.) Mandating financial assurance from operators to cover mine cleanup costs, preventing taxpayer-funded abandonment. 5.) Ending the current system where operators could extract minerals without paying for environmental damages or using public resources fairly. And wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Rep. Bruce Westerman (AR) and/or to an advocate group currently working with this issue.
- I support modernizing outdated hardrock mining regulations on public lands, aiming to increase environmental protections, ensuring companies pay fair royalties (8-12.5%), mandating reclamation of abandoned mines, and replacing the old claim system with a leasing model, holding operators accountable for damage and costs by:
1.) Converting existing claims to a leasing system, requiring annual rent and competitive bidding for new operations.
2.) Establishing royalties on mineral production (8-12.5%) to ensure public lands benefit taxpayers.
3.) Strengthening regulations, requiring environmental impact reviews, and ensuring cleanup of polluted sites.
4.) Mandating financial assurance from operators to cover mine cleanup costs, preventing taxpayer-funded abandonment.
5.) Ending the current system where operators could extract minerals without paying for environmental damages or using public resources fairly.
And wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Rep. Bruce Westerman (AR) and/or to an advocate group currently working with this issue.
You May Pledge Your Support For This Issue With A Monetary
Donation And By Writing A Letter To Your Representatives
Donation And By Writing A Letter To Your Representatives
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Pledge Period - Opening Date
February 2, 2026 @00:01 Universal Coordinated Time (UTC)
Pledge Period - Closing Date
February 8, 2026 @23:59 Universal Coordinated Time (UTC)
Trustee Election - Begins
February 9, 2026