Pennsylvania is one of six states receiving $135 million in grants awarded by the U.S. Department of Interior to create jobs and economic opportunities for coalfield communities.
The grants, part of the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement’s Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER), would help six Appalachian states with the highest number of unfunded priority abandoned mine land (AML) problems and three Tries with approved AML programs.
“AMLER grants offer opportunities for economic revitalization, community development, and the creation of good-paying jobs while addressing long-standing hazards and environmental degradation in coal communities in America,” Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Laura Daniel-Davis said. “Combined with historic investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, we are delivering the largest investment in tackling legacy pollution in American history.”
The AMLER program funds will go toward turning legacy coal mining sites into economic opportunities and community development projects. AML problems can include clogged streams, dangerous piles or embankments, dangerous highwalls, underground mine fires, and polluted water, the department said.
Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and West Virginia were each allocated $29.35 million, while Alabama, Ohio, and Virginia each received an $11.74 million allocation. The Crow Tribe, the Hopi Tribe, and the Navajo Nation each received $3.91 million. States and Tribes will work with local partners to identify the projects that will bring the most economic and environmental benefits to the communities.