Rep. Molepske: Yes to mining, no to this bill
Calls passage of AB 426 ‘rushed and unfortunate’
MADISON – Representative Louis J. Molepske, Jr. released the following statement on passage of AB 426, the Strip Mine Bill:
“It is inexcusable that Republicans voted to pass the Strip Mine Bill. I am not opposed to mining in Wisconsin, but AB 426 is the wrong way to do mining. We should pass a bill that attracts mining companies to Wisconsin which excite communities across our state, not a bill that was written in secret by a single out-of-state strip mine company. We should all be assured that the best practices would be used at a mine site to ensure that all parties would benefit from the project.
“A responsible mining bill would:
- Keep 100% of net proceeds revenues with the local communities;
- Ensure that all parties are at the table, including local citizens and governments, state and federal authorities, and tribal governments;
- Maintain current law for reclamation, holding mining companies responsible for 40 years after the conclusion of a mining project;
- Allow for important public input through public hearings and contested case hearings;
- Ensure that a mining company comply with all current regulations related to air and water, rather than absolving such companies from important environmental protections; and
- Be the result of thoughtful, open discussions among the many stakeholders in any mining operation.
“AB 426 is an extreme, divisive bill. Its flaws are so numerous and so serious that our citizens and natural resources are not being represented in a way that will create the streamlining and efficiency that the authors of this legislation call for. We should proceed no further with this bill. I hope that the Senate will take the responsible path of discarding AB 426 and starting over by having all interested parties at the drafting table. ”