THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE BILL

INTRODUCED BY D. WHITE, M. WHITE, MUSTO, WAUGH, WARD, EARLL AND ALLOWAY, JANUARY 5, 2010

REFERRED TO ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY, JANUARY 5, 2010  

AN ACT

Amending the act of May 31, 1945 (P.L.1198, No.418), entitled,

as amended, "An act providing for the conservation and

improvement of land affected in connection with surface

mining; regulating such mining; providing for the

establishment of an Emergency Bond Fund for anthracite deep

mine operators; and providing penalties," further providing

for the filing fee.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1.  The introductory paragraph of section 4 of the

act of May 31, 1945 (P.L.1198, No.418), known as the Surface

Mining Conservation and Reclamation Act, amended December 18,

1992 (P.L.1384, No.173), is amended to read:

Section 4.  Mining Permit; Reclamation Plan; Bond.--(a)

Before any person shall hereafter proceed to mine coal by the

surface mining method, he shall apply to the department, on a

form prepared and furnished by the department, for a permit for

each separate operation. The department is authorized to charge

and collect from persons a reasonable filing fee. Such fee may

be adjusted from time to time by regulations promulgated by the

Environmental Quality Board, and shall not exceed the cost of

reviewing, administering and enforcing such permit. As a part of

each application for a permit, the operator shall, unless

modified or waived by the department for cause, furnish the

following:

* * *

Section 2.  This act shall take effect immediately.