(Wyo.)-Rep. Lummis Trying To Repeal Abandoned Mine Land Payment Cuts

By: Roxie Graham-Marski Posted at: 07/19/2012 08:58 AM

     CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) - U.S. Rep. Cynthia Lummis has introduced legislation that would restore more than $700 million in federal funds to Wyoming.
 
     The bill was filed Monday by the Wyoming Republican and Democrat Rep. Nick Rahall, of West Virginia.
 
     The bill would repeal a provision in the recently passed federal transportation funding law that put a cap on how much Abandoned Mine Land payments states can get.
 
     The federal program is funded by taxes on each ton of coal produced. Wyoming is the nation's top coal producer.
 
     The state traditionally used the money for coal reclamation, clean coal and energy research and infrastructure projects.
 
     Wyoming Republican Sens. John Barrasso and Mike Enzi also are working to change the provision.

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