Addressing Acid Mine Drainage in NEPA -- Matt's Weekly Memo

Addressing Acid Mine Drainage in NEPA

Dear John,

This week, Sen. Bob Casey and I held a press conference at Scranton’s Sweeney Beach to discuss the Safeguarding Treatment for the Restoration of Ecosystems from Abandoned Mines (STREAM) Act.

The legislation we introduced would allow states to set aside 30% of the abandoned mine land funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) to continue treating acid mine drainage for years into the future. In this way, we will be safeguarding treatment sites long after the IIJA investment has already been expended.

Acid mine drainage, the release of highly acidic water from abandoned mines, is one of the largest sources of water pollution in the country and threatens to harm trout and local ecosystems in more than 5,500 miles of rivers and streams in Pennsylvania.

Representatives from the Office of Active and Abandoned Mine Operations, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and the Lackawanna River Conservation Association also shared how restoring rivers and streams in our region will introduce new outdoor activities, new development and new jobs.

Learn more here

Reducing the Cost of High-Speed Internet

As part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) was created. To date, 20 leading internet providers have committed to offering ACP-eligible households a high-speed internet plan for no more than $30/month.

Eligible families who pair the ACP benefit with one of these plans can receive high-speed internet at ZERO cost. To learn more, visit getinternet.gov

Learn more here

Happy National Nurses Week

STOP School Violence Grant Program

The Bureau of Justice Assistance has a new federal funding opportunity for states and school districts to prevent school violence and support student mental health through the STOP School Violence Grant Program. This legislation, passed with the help of Sandy Hook Promise, authorizes $45 million for FY22 grants that last for three years and may be used for anti-bullying programs, training for school staff, and other safety measures. Applications are due Tuesday, June 21st, 2022.

Learn more here

Be safe and well,

You are receiving this email because you opted in for periodic updates from my office.