The Appalachian Region Independent Power Producers Association has again partnered with the Eastern and Western Pennsylvania Coalitions for Abandoned Mine Reclamation to offer mine reclamation and treatment grants.  Applications are due April 15.

EPCAMR and WPCAMR respectively, to offer competitive awards to watershed and conservancy organizations facilitating abandoned mine drainage (AMD) and/or abandoned mine land (AML) remediation projects in Pennsylvania.

Awards are granted under the guidance and administration of EPCAMR and WPCAMR.

The amount distributed by ARIPPA in 2025 will be $6,000. However, the total grant award could potentially increase depending on contributions from other donors.

Eligible Applicants are environmental organizations with 501(c)(3) non-profit status or conservation districts in Pennsylvania who provide a letter stating the organization supports ARIPPA, including the removal and conversion of coal refuse into alternative energy and the beneficial use of CFB ash for AML/AMD reclamation purposes.

Funding may be used for, but it not limited to, the following:

-- Operations, maintenance, and rehabilitation of AMD treatment systems

-- Stream monitoring equipment purchases

-- Analyses and watershed plans

-- Vegetation management and erosion control

-- Educational purposes to promote AMD/AML reclamation

-- Supplies for trash cleanups

-- Drone purchase and training to use as a tool to promote AMD/AML reclamation

Click Here for all the details.

ARIPPA plants are important contributors in the cleanup of AML sites and the associated air and water pollutants throughout the Appalachian region.

To date, the Pennsylvania facilities alone have remediated more than 250 million tons of coal refuse, improved or restored more than 1,200 miles of streams, and reclaimed more than 7,200 acres of abandoned mine lands in the state.

However, much work remains to address this problem. AML projects in particular are costly and long-term endeavors often taken on by non-profit organizations that operate through grant funds.

According to the Department of Environmental Protection’s Mining and Reclamation Advisory Board, the average cost of an AML project is at least $8,000 per acre.

If AMD is present on those lands, the cost could be even higher. The ARIPPA AMD/AML Reclamation Grants are designed to help environmental organizations and conservation districts continue their efforts toward improving our environment.

Click Here for the announcement.

(Reprinted from the latest Abandoned Mine Posts.  Click Here to sign up for your own copy.

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[Posted: January 27, 2025]

2/3/2025