Summary of Bill - H.R. 2053: Mining Schools Enhancement Act

The Mining Schools Enhancement Act is a proposed bill to amend the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977. The purpose of this bill is to provide funding for activities at mining schools in the United States in order to enhance and support mining and mineral engineering programs.

Background

The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on April 6, 2017, by Ms. McSally, along with Mr. Perlmutter, Mr. Amodei, Mrs. Noem, and Mr. Young of Alaska. It was then referred to the Committee on Natural Resources. On July 25, 2017, the bill was reported with an amendment and committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union.

Key Provisions

The bill proposes to amend Section 721 of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977. The amendment includes the following provisions:

Allocation of Funds: The Director of the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement is required to ensure that at least 70% of the funds made available under this section are used to enhance and support mining and mineral engineering programs at mining schools in the United States.
Involvement of Stakeholders: The Director must consult with relevant stakeholders and ensure that undergraduate and graduate students at mining schools have a significant opportunity to participate in the funded activities.
Scope of Activities: The activities conducted under this section must be related to resource development and production. They may include studies of mining, mineral extraction efficiency, related processing technology, mineral economics, reclamation technology, and practices for active mining operations. The bill also emphasizes the development of remining systems and technologies for abandoned mine sites, investigations of environmentally-friendly mineral extraction methods, reducing dependence on foreign energy supplies, enhancing competitiveness of US energy technology exports, and addressing acid mine drainage and land reclamation issues caused by coal mining.
Definition of Mining School: The term "mining school" is defined in the bill as a mining, metallurgical, or mineral engineering program or department that is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc., and located at an institution of higher education in the United States.
Authorization of Appropriations: The bill authorizes the appropriation of $10,000,000 each year from fiscal years 2018 to 2024 for the implementation of these activities.

Overall, the Mining Schools Enhancement Act aims to provide financial support to mining schools in the United States in order to enhance and promote mining and mineral engineering programs and technological advancements in the industry.

Rep. Stevan Pearce

Stats

Sponsored Legislation