CLEAN UP Mines Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 9023
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Environmental Protection
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-26: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-29T18:01:31Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This legislation amends the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 to strengthen requirements for timely reclamation of surface coal mining sites, reduce long-term environmental damage from unreclaimed areas, and improve monitoring of water and biological conditions.
Key Provisions
- Requires reclamation plans to meet specific standards for backfilling, grading, drainage control, and stability, with completion deadlines tied to the date of last coal production.
- Defines temporary cessation of mining as a significant permit revision and treats mines idle for more than 6 months in any 3-year period as out of compliance unless they meet reclamation standards.
- Sets firm timelines: backfilling and regrading must finish within 180 days after last coal production; revegetation must occur within 36 months; no operator may exceed the base time periods by more than 1 year.
- Mandates quarterly surface and groundwater monitoring, annual biological assessments of streams, and post-storm inspections of runoff controls after major precipitation events.
- Adjusts performance bond release rules, shortening the initial phase from 60 to 40 days and tying releases more closely to the new reclamation standards.
Significant Changes to Existing Law The bill adds explicit time limits and stricter compliance triggers to sections on reclamation plans, permit revisions, performance standards, inspections, and bond releases. It introduces automatic out-of-compliance status for idle mines and requires regulatory approval of return-to-production plans or permit revisions.
Potential Impacts
- Government agencies face increased monitoring, inspection, and permitting workload.
- Mining operators must accelerate reclamation activities and may incur higher operational costs.
- Nearby communities could experience reduced risks from unreclaimed sites, such as water contamination or unstable land.
- No direct effects on international relations are addressed in the bill.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Coal mining companies and permit holders.
- Federal and state regulatory authorities responsible for mining oversight.
- Local communities and landowners near active or former surface mines.
- Environmental organizations focused on land and water protection.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The measure expands federal and state regulatory authority over mining operations through new deadlines and monitoring rules, which could lead to administrative challenges or litigation over compliance burdens. It reinforces environmental protection priorities under existing law without altering constitutional allocations of power between federal and state governments.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Beyer, Donald S. [D-VA-8]
Cosponsors (2)
Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12], Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17]
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-26: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 2026-05-26: Introduced in House
- 2026-05-26: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Contemporaneous Land and Environmental Action for Neutralizing Unreclaimed Property at Mines Act of 2026 — issued 2026-05-26 — PDF (8 pages)