US Dept. Of Interior Announces Approval Of Another $244 Million In Funding To Pennsylvania For Cleaning Up Legacy Pollution From Abandoned Mine Lands; Local Mine Reclamation Grants Due To DEP Nov. 8

On October 24, the US Department of the Interior and the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement announced another $244 million in fiscal year 2024 funding to address dangerous and polluting abandoned mine lands, create good-paying, family-sustaining jobs and catalyze economic opportunity in coal communities across Pennsylvania. 

This is the largest annual state allocation under the Abandoned Mine Land (AML) program and is funded from the once-in-a-generation investment of $11.3 billion in AML funding provided by the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Communities once powered by the coal industry are now polluted by abandoned mine lands, which leach toxic discharge into lands and waterways, cause land subsidence and structural issues, and fuel underground mine fires. 

This funding will ensure that coal communities are not left behind, but rather are revitalized by the jobs created for displaced coal workers, economic opportunity, and clean air and water provided by these cleanup projects.  

“Thanks to President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, we have an extraordinary opportunity to address nearly all of the documented abandoned mine land hazards across the nation,” said Secretary Deb Haaland. “These historic resources are helping the Interior Department address long-standing environmental damage, clean up hazardous sites, create good-paying jobs, and help reinvigorate former coal communities.” 

“The Biden-Harris Administration has made historic progress to invest in the energy communities that have long powered our nation. By reclaiming abandoned mine lands, we not only make our landscapes cleaner and safer, but we also create good-paying jobs and spur economic opportunities that will lift Pennsylvania’s middle class," said White House National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi. "The cleanup funded by these investments will allow Pennsylvania communities to position lands currently fenced away and idled as the sites for future manufacturing facilities or clean energy infrastructure. This investment to clean up legacy pollution in Pennsylvania is a win for the environment, a win for communities, and a win for local economies.”  

“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law infuses coal communities with the funding necessary to turn past pollution into future prosperity,” said OSMRE Principal Deputy Director Sharon Buccino. “This historic funding is making people safer, cleaning up the environment, and creating jobs. These are the outcomes that these communities need and deserve.” 

This announcement builds on more than $489.7 million from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda allocated to Pennsylvania for AML reclamation in fiscal years 2022 and 2023.

Click Here for Dept. of Interior announcement.

Local Mine Reclamation Grant Applications Due Nov. 8

Local eligible applicants can apply for grants for local abandoned mine reclamation projects have until November 8 to submit applications this year.

This is the third grant round this year for funding also coming from the US Department of the Interior.

Click Here for all the details.

Visit DEP’s Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation webpage to learn more about this program.

(Photos: Before and after mine drainage treatment on Little Conemaugh River, Cambria County.)

[Posted: October 25, 2024]  PA Environment Digest