On June 3, the US Department of the Interior announced the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) is making available $130 million in fiscal year 2024 funding for the Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) program. 

The six Appalachian states with the highest number of unfunded high priority abandoned mine land (AML) problems and three Tribes with approved AML programs are eligible to receive these funds.

In fiscal year 2024, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and West Virginia will each receive $28.67 million; Alabama, Ohio and Virginia will each receive $11 million; and the Crow Tribe, Hopi Tribe, and Navajo Nation will each receive $3.67 million. States and Tribes will continue to work with local partners to identify projects that will bring the most environmental and economic benefits to their communities.

AMLER funding supplements investments from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which allocated a total of $16 billion to address legacy pollution, including $11.3 billion in AML funding over 15 years.

This historic funding is expected to address nearly all of the currently inventoried abandoned coal mine lands in the nation, which will help communities address and eliminate dangerous conditions and pollution caused by historic coal mining.

Click Here for the complete announcement.

Visit DEP’s Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) Program webpage for more information.

(Photo: Stineman Refuse Pile - Path of the Flood Trail Project in Cambria County recognized by federal Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement for environmental, economic contributions.)

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:

-- 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 4, 2024]

6/10/2024