TheWeekInCongress.com
Week Ending June 18, 2004
HR 4529 Oil and Gas Leasing Program for Coastal Plain of Alaska.
BRIEF
The bill aims to provide
for exploration, development, and production of oil and gas resources on the
Arctic Coastal Plain of Alaska and the Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge and to
resolve outstanding issues relating to the Surface Mining Control and
Reclamation Act of 1977. The bill also would benefit the coal miners of America
to the extent that some revenues would be deposited to a fund for improving
coalminer health.
Sponsor: Representative Richard W. Pombo (R-CA)
Vote: Passed House
Cost to the taxpayers: The bill does not appropriate funds.
MORE INFORMATION
The bill sets forth an oil and gas leasing exploration and production program within the Arctic Coastal Plain.
And amends the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980 to repeal its prohibition against production of oil and gas from the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, including any leasing or development leading to such production.
The Secretary of the Interior would be authorized to designate a maximum total of Coastal Plain acreage as a "Special Area" of unique character and interest; and would permit the use of horizontal drilling technology from lease sites located outside a Special Area. Consequently, a Special area is not protected from the exploration or removal of gas or oil deposits beneath the surface.
Environmental concerns would be governed by one environmental statement and the bill concludes there is no violation of existing environmental covenants.
Some funds in the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund would be released for use by the Secretary of Agriculture for reclamation of rural lands; and by the Department of the Interior for studies by contract with organizations for advice and research and development projects technical assistance.
Fees to reclaim land normally paid by operators of coal mining operations would be reduced..
The bill would establish, in the Treasury, the Coal Mining Fairness Fund and appropriates to such Fund certain bonuses, rents, or royalties proceeds received by the United States from the exploration, development, and production of the oil and gas resources of the Coastal Plain. Prescribes guidelines for payments from such Fund to the UMWACB Fund.
The bill would amend the Internal Revenue Code (relating to liability of assigned operators) to: (1) waive payment by coal operators of any premium to the Combined Benefit Fund to the extent of the premium amount paid to the Coal Mining Fairness Fund; and set guidelines governing prepayment to the Combined Benefit Fund of premium liability for coal industry health benefits.## All Rights Reserved. No reproduction or distribution without written permission from TheWeekInCongress.com