On June 5, the US Department of the Interior announced that nearly $725 million from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is available to 22 states and the Navajo Nation to create good-paying jobs and catalyze economic opportunity by reclaiming abandoned mine lands (AML).

Pennsylvania is eligible to receive $244.7 million

This is the third allotment from the once-in-a-generation investment of $11.3 billion in AML funding provided by the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which will help communities clean up dangerous environmental conditions and pollution caused by past coal mining.

AML reclamation supports jobs in coal communities by investing in projects that close dangerous mine shafts, reclaim unstable slopes, improve water quality by treating acid mine drainage, and restore water supplies damaged by mining.

AML projects also enable economic revitalization by reclaiming hazardous land for recreational facilities and other redevelopment uses, such as advanced manufacturing and renewable energy deployment.

In accordance with the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, states and Tribes are encouraged to prioritize projects that employ current and former employees of the coal industry.

With this announcement, eligible states and Tribes can now apply for the formula-based funding allotments.

Click Here for the complete announcement.

(Photo: The federal Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement  used the coal refuse pile fire in Fell Township, Lackawanna County as an example of the kind of reclamation project funded under this program.)

Related Articles:

-- Pennsylvania Eligible For Third Installment Of $244.7 Million In Federal Funding To Support Abandoned Mine Reclamation  [PaEN]

-- US Dept. Of The Interior Awards $28.67 Million To PA To Revitalize Abandoned Mine Lands, Create Jobs Under AMLER Program  [PaEN]

-- Center For Coalfield Justice: Cause Of Omnis Bailey Coal Waste Processing Plant Fire In Greene County Unknown  [PaEN]

-- Firepoint Energy Eyeing PA Coal Waste As Source Of Rare Earth Elements And Jet Fuel  [PaEN]  

NewsClips:

-- Observer-Reporter: State Police Fire Marshal Unable To Determine Cause Of the Bailey Mine Coal Waste Plant Fire In Greene County

-- Tribune-Democrat: Coal Miners’ Memorial Weekend June 13-16 Will Celebrate Windber’s Heritage

-- News-Item: Former Glen Burn Colliery Mine Transport Shuttle Installed At Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area In Northumberland County

-- Scranton Times: Finding New Life For Coal Mining Relics In Archbald

[Posted: June 6, 2024]

6/10/2024