H.R. 4705: Appalachian Communities Health Equity Act of 2025

This bill, known as the Appalachian Communities Health Equity Act of 2025, aims to impose a temporary halt on the approval and renewal of federal permits for mountaintop removal coal mining until a comprehensive health study is completed. This act targets areas primarily in Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Virginia, where communities have raised concerns about the negative health effects associated with such mining practices, including pollution of water, air, and soil.

Key Provisions of the Bill

1. Moratorium on Permits

The bill states that no federal authorization, such as permits or licenses, can be issued or renewed for mountaintop removal coal mining projects, or for the expansion of existing projects, until a health risk determination is published by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. This determination must conclude that such mining does not pose health risks to nearby residents.

2. Health Study

The bill mandates that the Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, in collaboration with other federal agencies, conduct a thorough study to evaluate the health impacts of mountaintop removal coal mining on individuals living near these sites. The director will report the findings to the Secretary and ensure that the results are made publicly accessible.

3. Monitoring Requirements

Operators of mountaintop removal coal mining projects will be required to carry out continual monitoring of pollution levels, including water, air, and noise pollution, along with consistent soil monitoring. They must report these findings monthly to the Secretary and make the results publicly available.

4. Enforcement and Compliance

The bill outlines that if a mining operation fails to comply with the monitoring and reporting requirements, federal authorizations for the project will not be issued or renewed. This creates a level of accountability for mining companies to adhere to environmental and health monitoring standards.

5. Federal Cost Fee

The Secretary of the Interior will collect a one-time fee from current or past mountaintop removal mining project operators to cover the federal costs associated with implementing the health study and monitoring requirements established by the bill.

6. Definitions

The bill provides definitions for key terms, specifically stating what constitutes mountaintop removal coal mining and clarifying the roles of relevant federal authorities.

Relevant Companies

• ARLP (Alliance Resource Partners, L.P.): This company is heavily involved in coal mining operations, including mountaintop removal methods, particularly in the Appalachian region. The bill's moratorium on new permits could significantly impact its ability to expand operations.
• BTU (Peabody Energy Corporation): As another major coal producer, Peabody Energy may face restrictions on its operations and new project approvals due to the moratorium proposed in the bill.