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HR 2073 117th Congress House Health Air quality Coal Environmental assessment, monitoring, research Environmental health Health information and medical records Health programs administration and funding Kentucky Licensing and registrations Medical research Mining Noise pollution Research administration and funding Tennessee User charges and fees Virginia Water quality West Virginia

ACHE Act

Introduced: March 18, 2021 See on congress.gov
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 Everywhere this bill has been 5 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jun 9, 2022
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
May 21, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.
Mar 19, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Mar 18, 2021
Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Mar 18, 2021
Introduced in House
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Appalachian Communities Health Emergency Act or the ACHE Act

This bill places restrictions and requirements on certain mining projects until the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) determines whether such projects pose risks to human health. The bill applies to mountaintop-removal coal mining projects that use blasting with explosives in the steep slope regions of Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Specifically, the bill requires the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences to conduct or support studies on the health impacts of mountaintop-removal coal mining projects on individuals in the surrounding communities. HHS must use these studies when making its determination on whether such mining presents any health risks to those individuals.

Until HHS makes its determination, entities carrying out such mining must monitor levels of soil, water, air, and noise pollution. HHS must make the results of this monitoring publicly available.

In addition, specified agencies may not issue permits for any mountaintop-removal coal mining project or expansion unless HHS determines that such mining does not present any health risk to individuals in the surrounding communities.

The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement of the Department of the Interior must assess a one-time fee upon existing mining projects. The fee must cover the federal cost of the studies and pollution monitoring required by the bill.

What's happening now June 9, 2022

Subcommittee Hearings Held.

 Committees of jurisdiction 4
 Cosponsors 3
All 3 Democratic 3