Washington, D.C. – This week, U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Tom Udall (D-NM), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Jeffrey Merkley (D-OR), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), and Edward Markey (D-MA) wrote to the leadership of the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources requesting a hearing on the Hardrock Mining Reform Act to provide a forum for states, environmental groups, and industry to discuss mining reform.
“Mining companies, both foreign and domestic, are governed today by a law that has changed little since the actual California Gold Rush that gave rise to the Act in the first place,” wrote the senators. “Today, this Civil War-era statute gives individuals and corporations the authority to extract minerals from public lands without owing anything in royalties to the federal government—unlike any other industry, including coal, oil, and gas.”
“We respectfully request that the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee consider a hearing for this important and long-overdue bill,” wrote the senators.
The Hardrock Mining Reform Act of 2019 would impose a commonsense royalty on hardrock mining, updating a law that dates back to 1872 allowing companies to mine public lands without paying royalties. This would help pay for abandoned mine cleanup and prevent future disasters.
Bennet has a long pushed to modernize our nation’s antiquated mining laws. In November 2015, he introduced mining reform legislation to help prevent future spills like the Gold King Mine disaster that released three million gallons of toxic wastewater into the Animas and San Juan rivers, affecting communities and businesses throughout southwest Colorado. For years after Gold King, Bennet supported clean-up efforts and held the Environmental Protection Agency accountable for the effects of the spill.
A copy of the letter is available HERE and below.
Dear Chairman Murkowski and Ranking Member Manchin:
We respectfully request that the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee consider scheduling S. 1386, the Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act, for the committee’s next available hearing date.
Mining companies, both foreign and domestic, are governed today by a law that has changed little since the actual California Gold Rush that gave rise to the Act in the first place. Today, this Civil War-era statute gives individuals and corporations the authority to extract minerals from public lands without owing anything in royalties to the federal government—unlike any other industry, including coal, oil, and gas. A hearing would provide an opportunity for all stakeholders—states, environmental groups, and industries—to come together and discuss mining reform.
This hearing request and the underlying legislation are particularly timely in light of the Administration’s proposed plan to “streamline” permitting and “improve access” to critical minerals on our public lands. If the Administration and Congress are to consider such significant changes to mining on public lands, they must address the lack of federal royalties and reclamation fees, and find a solution for the thousands of abandoned mines releasing toxic pollution into the limited water supplies across the West.
We respectfully request that the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee consider a hearing for this important and long-overdue bill.
Sincerely,