Pennsylvania receives $244.9M of federal funding for mine reclamation

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The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will provide Pennsylvania with $244.9 million to reclaim abandoned mine lands.

The state will use the funding for abandoned mine land remediation projects that reclaim unstable slopes, improve water quality by treating acid mine drainage, close dangerous mine shafts, and restore water supplies damaged by mining.

The projects support jobs in coal communities and enable economic revitalization by reclaiming hazardous land for economic redevelopment, including renewable energy deployment and advanced manufacturing, and recreational facilities.

“This investment will help to accelerate our work to address the environmental and public health concerns of our legacy energy development,” Gov. Tom Wolf said. “This is a clear example of President Biden delivering on his promise to Build Back Better – reclaiming this land will simultaneously eliminate environmental scars while creating jobs and new land-use opportunities for economic benefit.”

Remediation may reduce methane emissions.

Nationwide, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will provide $11.3 billion to reclaim abandoned mine lands over the next 15 years. A total of $725 million will be distributed in 2022. Pennsylvania’s allocation is the largest.

The Pennsylvania Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation administers and oversees the state’s Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program. It is responsible for resolving open shafts and portals, mine subsidence, mine fires, and other hazards.