WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Interior Department’s proposal to suspend efforts to make mining corporations pay to clean up their mine sites could cost taxpayers over a billion dollars, according to Taxpayers for Common Sense, a national budget watchdog organization.

“American taxpayers should not pay to clean up the mining industry’s messes,” commented Jill Lancelot, Legislative Director of Taxpayers for Common Sense. “Subsidizing the mining industry’s costs of doing business is corporate welfare at its worst.”

The Administration is proposing to suspend new rules that closed legal loopholes that would allow mining companies to evade clean up costs after they have finished mining. Companies would not be required to post adequate financial bonds for cleanup costs before mining commences.

Independent reports put the cost to taxpayers at about $1 billion in cleanup costs at today’s mines.

“The proposed suspension would ensure that taxpayers, not mining companies pay for mine cleanups,” continued Lancelot, “As Colorado Attorney General Gail Norton learned, inadequate bonding can cost millions. Cleanup for the Summitville Gold Mine in Colorado cost taxpayers over $170 million.”

The Administration’s proposal could be a major victory for the mining industry and their lobbying efforts led by the National Mining Association, according to the group.

“Mining companies prefer the status quo, where they pay some insurance but the taxpayer foots the bill when things turn sour,” concluded Lancelot. “The practice is like taking out car insurance to cover $5000 in damages and expecting your neighbors to pitch in to pay the difference if you get in a $100,000 accident.”

For more information, please contact Keith Ashdown, (202) 546-8500 x110, or by email .