Bill > SB875

This bill, known as the Treated Mine Water Act, aims to facilitate the use of treated water from coal mines for oil and gas development by providing legal protections. It declares that treated mine water is a suitable alternative to fresh water for drilling, completing, and hydraulically fracturing oil and gas wells, thereby conserving fresh water sources. The bill specifically grants immunity from liability to a "mine operator" (defined as the permit holder of an active or closed coal mine that treats mine drainage or mine pool water under a permit) who provides treated mine water for oil or gas well development, as long as the water is used offsite and the mine operator is not the same entity developing the well. Furthermore, individuals or companies that acquire and use this treated mine water for oil and gas well development are also protected from liability related to the treatment or cleanup of the original mine drainage or mine pool water. The bill clarifies that treated mine water, when meeting specific environmental standards and used for oil and gas projects, will not be classified as "solid waste" under the Solid Waste Management Act, which is a law governing the disposal of waste. This legislation is intended to protect mine operators and oil and gas developers from potential legal issues arising from the use of this water source, while still holding them accountable for any unlawful spills or releases they cause.