EPA passes on rule covering U.S. hardrock miners' cleanup costs
Source: Reuters
#ENVIRONMENT DECEMBER 1, 2017 / 7:47 PM / UPDATED 4 HOURS AGO
EPA passes on rule covering U.S. hardrock miners' cleanup costs
Reuters Staff
2 MIN READ
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said on Friday it would not act on a proposal to require hardrock mining companies to show they can afford to clean up their sites.
“EPA is confident that modern industry practices, along with existing state and federal requirements address risks from operating hardrock mining facilities,” EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt said in a statement.
The financial responsibility proposal, issued by the administration of President Barack Obama, was supported by Democrats and environmental groups, but opposed by the mining industry and Republicans.
It would have required companies mining metals such as gold, silver, copper and lead to show they had the financial means to clean up their sites once they finished mining by issuing bonds or buying insurance. It was partly aimed at taking the burden off Washington to clean up sites when miners declare bankruptcy.
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Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-mining-epa/epa-passes-on-rule-covering-u-s-hardrock-miners-cleanup-costs-idUSKBN1DW00J
