Bill Overview
Title: STREAM Act
Description: This bill allows a state to set aside up to 30% of its annual grant for abandoned mine reclamation provided under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act for the treatment and abatement of acid mine drainage, which is the release of acidic water from abandoned coal mines.
Sponsors: Rep. Cartwright, Matt [D-PA-8]
Target Audience
Population: People living near abandoned coal mines and affected by acid mine drainage
Estimated Size: 2000000
- The bill is focused on reclaiming abandoned coal mine regions, particularly addressing acid mine drainage.
- Acid mine drainage is an environmental problem impacting waterways, aquatic life, and water quality, which in turn affects local communities dependent on these water sources.
- It is likely to benefit populations living near abandoned coal mine sites, which are predominantly found in coal-rich regions such as Appalachia in the U.S., parts of Europe, and other coal mining areas worldwide.
- Improved water quality can impact a wide range of populations, from those who rely directly on the water source to those indirectly affected by potential contamination in their food or supply chain.
Reasoning
- The policy is aimed at improving environmental conditions by addressing acid mine drainage, which severely impacts local water quality and aquatic life.
- The American target population is particularly concentrated in specific regions such as Appalachia, which has a long history of coal mining activities and abandoned mines.
- The budget constraints necessitate focus on areas with the highest potential impact to ensure the policy benefits a significant number of people.
- To assess the policy's true impact, a varied set of interviews are conducted, including those with indirect exposure and differing opinions.
Simulated Interviews
Environmental Scientist (Charleston, West Virginia)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could significantly reduce the pollution levels in our local streams and rivers.
- Better water quality means healthier ecosystems and communities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 3 |
Elementary School Teacher (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Our well water has sometimes been questionable due to runoff.
- This policy will hopefully make our water safer for my family.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 3 |
Retired Coal Miner (Lexington, Kentucky)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The streams used to be teeming with fish, now they are barely habitable.
- This act gives me hope future generations will see the waters restored.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 3 |
Graduate Student in Environmental Engineering (Columbus, Ohio)
Age: 24 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Addressing mine drainage is crucial for sustainable community development.
- It’s a crucial step in restoring habitats and ensuring clean water access.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Farmer (Rural area near Birmingham, Alabama)
Age: 60 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Agricultural yields have suffered due to poor water quality.
- This provides a path to recovery for our crops and livestock.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
Local Politician (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe these initiatives will revitalize local resources and promote tourism.
- It’s a win for both the environment and local economy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Nurse (Morgantown, West Virginia)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see a lot of health issues potentially linked to poor water quality.
- This policy might lead to improved health outcomes in the long run.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 3 |
Small Business Owner (Ashland, Kentucky)
Age: 46 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I rely on healthy fish populations for my business.
- Cleaner streams could mean more business and better profits.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Community Organizer (Huntington, West Virginia)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy aligns with our goals for sustainable and fair resource use.
- It could empower communities to take control of their water sources.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Retired High School Teacher (Charleston, West Virginia)
Age: 50 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The historical impact of coal mining has been both economically and environmentally significant.
- This policy provides an opportunity to address historical damages.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $225000000 (Low: $150000000, High: $300000000)
Year 2: $225000000 (Low: $150000000, High: $300000000)
Year 3: $225000000 (Low: $150000000, High: $300000000)
Year 5: $225000000 (Low: $150000000, High: $300000000)
Year 10: $225000000 (Low: $150000000, High: $300000000)
Year 100: $225000000 (Low: $150000000, High: $300000000)
Key Considerations
- The extent to which individual states choose to utilize the 30% allocation for acid mine drainage projects.
- The readiness and capacity of states to implement the necessary treatment technologies.
- Variability in the cost of addressing acid mine drainage based on the size and condition of mines.