Rahall, once again, joined forces with U.S. Rep. Barbara Cubin (R-WY) in introducing the measure. This represents the second time the two Members have reached an historic agreement between their States which have traditionally been at odds over the program. Wyoming coal producers pay more into the program than those in West Virginia, Kentucky and Pennsylvania combined, but the Appalachian States have the greatest extent of orphaned mine problems.

     "Throughout Appalachia and coal mining regions across the country there remains a high number of abandoned mine sites which endanger the public health and safety. Yet, without new legislation the resources will not be available to combat this threat," noted Rahall, who is responsible for twice reauthorizing the program and is the ranking Democrat on the House Resources Committee which has jurisdiction over the issue. Cubin is the Vice-Chairwoman of the Resources Committee panel to which the bill will be referred for consideration.

     The "Abandoned Mine Lands Reclamation Reform Act of 2005" provides for a 15-year extension of the authority to collect fees from the coal industry to finance the restoration of all known high-priority abandoned coal mine sites.

     The bill also insures that priority is given to sites which pose threats to human health and safety, and provides for the long-term solvency of the Combined Benefit Fund which provides health care for 39,000 retired coal miners and their widows.

     While targeting greater resources to sites that pose the greatest threat to public health and safety, including the construction of water supply systems to replace water contaminated by past mining, the Rahall-Cubin bill also contains provisions to insure that benefits would not be cut in the deficit-riddled coal miner health care program. Under existing law, the interest which accrues to the unspent balance in the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund is transferred to the Combined Benefit Fund (CBF), yet, due to an arcane restriction, not all available interest can be transferred.

     And to address the needs of workers’ benefits affected by a recent rash of steel company bankruptcy declarations, the legislation shores up the accounts created by the Federal Coal Act to insure that workers who did not fall under the protection of the CBF are not left without the security of vital health care benefits.

     "In fighting to reclaim abandoned coal mines we must not abandon these elderly coal miners and others that have worked in our factories and mills who, through no fault of their own, are being denied their due health care," declared Rahall.

     U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd has added a provision to the Senate emergency spending bill to extend the program through September of this year. The Senate is expected to complete action on the spending bill in the coming weeks. Without this provision, the program will be left short of the $3 billion in costs associated with reclaiming all high-priority sites. These sites include dangerous highwalls, subsidence, refuse piles, and open mine shafts, as well as water supplies contaminated by past mining practices. In all, 23 States and three Indian tribes receive funds under the program.

     "Once again, Senator Byrd is championing the fight to protect the needs of our coal miners and their families. I commend his steadfast leadership on this issue," concluded Rahall.