State could receive up to $26.5M in reclamation grants

Pennsylvania is eligible for $26.5 million in traditional Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund program annual grants.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law extended grant funding through 2034.

The law also awarded Pennsylvania $244.9 million to clean up abandoned mines statewide.

“This annual funding allows Pennsylvania to continue its ongoing efforts to clean up our 5,000 abandoned mines and repurpose the land, which will not only lead to environmental and economic recovery for those communities but also support good-paying jobs,” Gov. Tom Wolf said. “I’m grateful that the Biden Administration recognizes the need to support Pennsylvania and other states that are addressing this legacy issue, which presents environmental, public health, and public safety risks.”

The Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation administers and oversees the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program and is responsible for resolving abandoned mine land (AML) problems resulting from past coal mining practices.

Funding will allow the bureau to undertake abandoned mine land remediation projects such as restoring water supplies damaged by mining, improving water quality by treating acid mine drainage, closing dangerous mine shafts, and reclaiming unstable slopes.

Reclaiming land can be used for economic redevelopment uses such as advanced manufacturing and renewable energy deployment or for recreational facilities.