Alabama Mining Regulator Expecting Feds To Take Over Mine Regulations As Federal Funding Dries Up
JASPER, Ala.—If federal funds designated for Alabama’s mining regulator dry up—there is a 16 percent cut in state grants now being debated in Congress—director Kathy Love believes she has a quick and compelling rebuttal.
Alabama has primary oversight, as do 14 other states, over its mines but it needs the federal government to help pay the cost. If there’s not enough money to do the job right, she said, the federal government can take over the reins as regulator.
The Department of Interior makes that clear, or at least that is how she reads Title V of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act. And “nobody wants that,” said Love, who heads the Alabama Surface Mining Commission. She met Thursday with commissioners and explained some of the budget woes still brewing in Washington.
Love said the agency was lobbying for funds to be maintained. In an interview after the meeting, Love warned that, unless that happens, the commission may be forced to choose: ask the Alabama Legislature to dole out supplemental funding or watch the federal government take over. “So we’ve got to get busy in D.C.,” said Love, indicating that the state will need to call on the Trump White House and Congress to change their minds.
Ed. Yeah, I'm sure Tuberville and Britt and President Toddler will get right on that.
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https://insideclimatenews.org/news/13062025/alabama-mining-regulator-wary-of-possible-trump-cuts/