FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Illinois Groups Join Nationwide Push to Urge Congress to Act On Bills That Would Aid Coal-impacted Communities
Contact: Amanda Pankau, Prairie Rivers Network, (217) 840-3057, apankau@prairierivers.org
Dana Kuhnline, Appalachian Voices, (304) 825-3262, Dana@AppVoices.org
WASHINGTON — Despite bipartisan support, several bills that would aid coal-impacted communities across America have stalled in Congress. Advocates have gathered signatures from local and national organizations on a letter that was sent to Congressional leadership today. The diverse list of 109 organizations who have joined the letter includes national labor unions, community groups, economic development organizations, reclamation specialists, environmental non-profits, faith-based organizations, and black lung advocacy groups. Over a dozen Illinois groups joined 35 national and regional groups, and over 60 organizations working locally across 15 states to sign the letter.
Specifically, the letter urges Congressional leadership to support the following bills:
- Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act Amendments of 2019 (H.R.4248), to address the clean-up of dangerous and polluting abandoned mine lands;
- RECLAIM Act (H.R. 2156), to spur immediate job creation and create the conditions for longer term, locally driven economic development efforts in coal communities; and
- Black Lung Benefits Disability Trust Fund Solvency Act (H.R.3876), to adequately fund the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund at prior level for 10 years.
These are key opportunities to support miners, clean up environmental hazards, lay the foundation for new jobs, and create an economic boost for communities struggling with the decline of the coal industry.
In the letter, they state: “Rebuilding regional economies takes many years. Coal communities and workers have powered American homes and businesses for more than a century, and they deserve support as America’s energy landscape changes.”
The Illinois based organizations that have signed this letter include Central Illinois Healthy Community Alliance (CIHCA), Clean Power Lake County, The Climate Reality Project — Chicago Chapter, Eco-Justice Collaborative, Faith in Place Action Fund, Grow Gillespie, Illinois People’s Action, Nuclear Energy Information Service (NEIS), ONE Northside, Prairie Rivers Network, Respiratory Health Association, Save Our Illinois Land, and 350Kishwaukee.
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