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PA Receives $28.6 Million In Federal Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) Program Funding; Local AML/AMD Project Funding Application Period Open

On June 25, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it received $28.6 million in federal funding for the 2024 Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) Program, which will put abandoned mine lands across the Commonwealth to good use by funding economic and community development projects on reclaimed sites.

Previous AMLER projects include public parks, public waterlines to ensure clean and safe water, recreational trails for fishing and biking, and more. Pennsylvania has more abandoned coal mines than any other state in the country.

With the support of federal and state funding, Pennsylvania has already rehabilitated 150,000 acres of abandoned mine lands.

“Remediation of abandoned mine lands is critical for the health, safety, and well-being of communities across Pennsylvania,” said DEP Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley. “With this federal funding, we will be able to continue this vital work that protects public health and safety, and put reclaimed land to good use with eligible economic development initiatives.”

This is the ninth year Pennsylvania has received funding from the AMLER Program. AMLER was established in 2016 to accelerate abandoned mine land remediation for long-term sustainable use through economic and community development.

Pennsylvania has a roughly $5 billion need for reclamation and stream restoration. More than 5,000 miles of streams in Pennsylvania are impacted by acid mine drainage from abandoned mining sites – these toxic chemicals can harm our water sources and result in issues like erosion.

Ongoing Federal Reclamation Grant Support

In April, Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis and U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland announced a $244 million investment into restoring and reclaiming abandoned mine lands in Pennsylvania. Read more here.

On June 6, the US Department of the Interior announced Pennsylvania is eligible to receive the third allotment of $244.7 million for abandoned mine reclamation projects. Read more here.

DEP uses this funding for projects to clean up abandoned mine lands and protect Pennsylvania communities – removing waste piles, re-grading dangerous highwalls that can result in loose dirt, trees, and other hazards, treating abandoned mine drainage that affect streams and rivers, and preventing and treating mine subsidence underneath homes and businesses across the Commonwealth.

Local Project Funding

DEP is now accepting applications for the next round of grants for local abandoned mine reclamation projects supported by federal Abandoned Mine Reclamation and AMLER funding.

The deadline for the next grant round is July 19 and DEP is scheduled to open a fall grant round from September 23 to November 8.

Visit DEP’s AML/AMD Grant Program webpage for all the details.

Mine Subsidence Insurance

Millions of structures in Pennsylvania are located over old, abandoned underground coal and clay mines.

That’s why DEP offers mine subsidence insurance for Pennsylvania homeowners that may have abandoned mines beneath their homes.

Damage due to mine subsidence or mine water breakouts is usually not covered by your homeowner’s insurance policy.

Residential Coverage of $150,000 through DEP costs just $41.25 a year.

Since 1961, the Mine Subsidence Insurance program has paid out over $36 million in homeowner claims.

Visit DEP’s Mine Subsidence Insurance Program webpage for all the details and for a tool to learn if you are located above an abandoned mine.

Learn more about abandoned mine reclamation by visiting DEP’s Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation webpage.

(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.)

Resource Links:

-- US Dept. Of The Interior Awards $28.67 Million To PA To Revitalize Abandoned Mine Lands, Create Jobs Under AMLER Program [PaEN 6.3.24]

-- Pennsylvania Eligible For Third Installment Of $244.7 Million In Federal Funding To Support Abandoned Mine Reclamation [PaEN 6.5.24]

Related Article - Mine Reclamation:

-- US Dept. Of Energy Awards Funding For Projects Repurposing Existing Energy Facilities, Including 4 In PA Promoting Reuse Of Abandoned Oil & Gas Wells, Mine Pools, Abandoned Mine Lands [PaEN]

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