Rep. McGarvey Introduces ACHE Act to Halt Mountaintop Removal Mining Pending Health Study
Small coal mining companies operating mountaintop removal operations would face a freeze on new permits and expansions, potentially halting business growth. They would also bear the costs of new continuous pollution monitoring requirements and a one-time federal fee to fund the health study — costs that could be particularly burdensome for smaller operators with tight margins.
“shall assess and collect a one-time fee from each person that, as of the date of the enactment of this Act, is conducting or has previously completed a mountaintop removal coal mining project in the United States, in an amount sufficient to recover the Federal cost of implementing sections 3 and 5.”
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, and Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in House
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
The ACHE Act would ban mountaintop-removal mining blamed for increased cancer and other disease rates in surrounding communities. The moratorium would remain in place until the federal government completes a comprehensive health study of the practice's impacts.
Advocates stress the importance of the Appalachian Community Health Emergency Act, or ACHE, a federal bill that would place a moratorium on new mountaintop removal permits until the federal government has completed and evaluated studies into health disparities in the region.
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
ACHE Act of 2025
Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.