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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | September 23, 2013 10:15 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Ron Miller |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Legislation - Acid Mine Drainage |
| As you may know, acid mine drainage (AMD) is the largest water pollution issue in the Commonwealth; impacting roughly 5,000 stream miles at of cost of approximately $15 billion. And the legacy of AMD serves a stark reminder of the vital importance of sound environmental protections. In an effort to promote AMD cleanup, I plan to introduce legislation like Senate Bill 411 to amend our Environmental Good Samaritan law by limiting liability for companies who chose to treat and use AMD waters for natural gas operations, industrial uses like cooling at power plants, and other beneficial uses. This bill will only extend the protection from liability to others abating AMD projects but not beyond the AMD site. Under current law, nonprofits and others working to clean up an AMD site are protected from liability for the AMD. One reason for this is that as the group did not cause the problem, they are addressing it; therefore, they should not be held accountable in perpetuity for problems associated with it. My legislation is intended to provide this same protection to others. Accordingly, if a natural gas company uses AMD as a water source, they would not be held accountable for problems arising at the AMD site. This environmental initiative will facilitate the use of AMD water over freshwater withdraws and help to address AMD across the commonwealth. |