In the near future, I will be introducing legislation which would extend the Environmental Good Samaritan Act to for-profit entities who extract critical minerals from acid mine drainage.
 
For decades, the Commonwealth has struggled with the negative environmental effects of coal mine drainage that has polluted our streams and watersheds.  Mining waste piles and acid mine drainage are an ongoing environmental concern.  These waste streams hold significant quantities of rare earth elements and other critical minerals which are necessary in electronic components, renewable energy systems and even items used for our national defense.  Many of these waste streams are already being treated by companies and organizations.  By modifying existing treatment processes using burgeoning technology developed for the purpose of extracting rare earth elements, we can address environmental concerns and extract the critical elements needed to provide components for many industries and for national defense.
 
Fortunately, technology is being developed by organizations like Penn State University’s Center for Critical Minerals and other Pennsylvania organizations to extract these minerals and elements from waste streams.  By using this technology, we can capitalize on a market that is currently being dominated by foreign countries like China, putting us in a competitive advantage as a nation.
 
By expanding the protections already in place to include for-profit organizations that will use these technologies, the Commonwealth can become a leader among states in critical minerals and provide a climate for good paying jobs in this upcoming industry.
 
I hope that you will join me in co-sponsoring this legislation.  Thank you for your consideration.