Scrapbook Photo 12/02/24 - 90 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA: http://tinyurl.com/5xpcbut8
US Dept. Of Interior Announces Approval Of Another $244 Million In Funding To Pennsylvania For Cleaning Up Legacy Pollution From Abandoned Mine Lands; Local Mine Reclamation Grants Due To DEP Nov. 8
Photo

On October 24, the US Department of the Interior and the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement announced another $244 million in fiscal year 2024 funding to address dangerous and polluting abandoned mine lands, create good-paying, family-sustaining jobs and catalyze economic opportunity in coal communities across Pennsylvania.

This is the largest annual state allocation under the Abandoned Mine Land (AML) program and is funded from the once-in-a-generation investment of $11.3 billion in AML funding provided by the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Communities once powered by the coal industry are now polluted by abandoned mine lands, which leach toxic discharge into lands and waterways, cause land subsidence and structural issues, and fuel underground mine fires.

This funding will ensure that coal communities are not left behind, but rather are revitalized by the jobs created for displaced coal workers, economic opportunity, and clean air and water provided by these cleanup projects. 

“Thanks to President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, we have an extraordinary opportunity to address nearly all of the documented abandoned mine land hazards across the nation,” said Secretary Deb Haaland. “These historic resources are helping the Interior Department address long-standing environmental damage, clean up hazardous sites, create good-paying jobs, and help reinvigorate former coal communities.”

“The Biden-Harris Administration has made historic progress to invest in the energy communities that have long powered our nation. By reclaiming abandoned mine lands, we not only make our landscapes cleaner and safer, but we also create good-paying jobs and spur economic opportunities that will lift Pennsylvania’s middle class," said White House National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi. "The cleanup funded by these investments will allow Pennsylvania communities to position lands currently fenced away and idled as the sites for future manufacturing facilities or clean energy infrastructure. This investment to clean up legacy pollution in Pennsylvania is a win for the environment, a win for communities, and a win for local economies.” 

“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law infuses coal communities with the funding necessary to turn past pollution into future prosperity,” said OSMRE Principal Deputy Director Sharon Buccino. “This historic funding is making people safer, cleaning up the environment, and creating jobs. These are the outcomes that these communities need and deserve.”

This announcement builds on more than $489.7 million from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda allocated to Pennsylvania for AML reclamation in fiscal years 2022 and 2023.

Click Here for Dept. of Interior announcement.

Local Mine Reclamation Grant Applications Due Nov. 8

Local eligible applicants can apply for grants for local abandoned mine reclamation projects have until November 8 to submit applications this year.

This is the third grant round this year for funding also coming from the US Department of the Interior.

Click Here for all the details.

Visit DEP’s Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation webpage to learn more about this program.

(Photos: Before and after mine drainage treatment on Little Conemaugh River, Cambria County.)

Related Articles - Watersheds:

-- US Dept. Of Interior Announces Approval Of Another $244 Million In Funding To Pennsylvania For Cleaning Up Legacy Pollution From Abandoned Mine Lands; Local Mine Reclamation Grants Due To DEP Nov. 8  [PaEN]

-- Dept. Of Agriculture, Land O'Lakes Farmer Cooperative, National Hemp Assn. Receive $40 Million In USDA Funding To Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Improve Water Quality  [PaEN]

-- ClearWater Conservancy Celebrates $2 Million Federal Grant For New Community Conservation Center To Enhance Environmental Stewardship, Local Economy  [PaEN]

-- DEP Invites Comments On Total Maximum Daily Nutrient Load Plans For Muddy Run, Union County; Deer Creek, York County  [PaEN]

-- Penn State Extension Hosts 9-Part Woods In Your Backyard Webinar Series Starting Jan. 15  [PaEN] 

-- Delaware River Basin Commission To Hold Nov. 6 Hearing, Dec. 5 Business Meeting  [PaEN]

-- Penn State PA Technical Assistance Program Hosting 2-Part Food Manufacturing Pollution Prevention Training Series  [PaEN]

-- Help Wanted: Berks Conservation District - Agricultural Engineer, Administrative Assistant  [PaEN]

NewsClips:

-- EPA Announces Over $132 Million For Clean Water, Drinking Water Revolving Water Infrastructure Funding In PA

-- US Forest Service Announces $34 Million Available To Support Sustainable Forestry Industry, Healthy Forest Landscapes, Applications Due Dec. 11

-- Chesapeake Bay Foundation: After 40 Years Of Cutting Edge Environmental Restoration, Can The Bay Partnership Again Reinvent Itself In Time To Save The Bay In The 21st Century?

-- Chesapeake Bay Journal - Ad Crable: Historic York County Farm To Become Gateway For Susquehanna National Heritage Area Discovery Center & Heritage Park

-- Save The Date: Penn State ACAP Ag Conservation Con 2025 - April 1-3 In Harrisburg

-- Penn State Extension Ag Conservation Currents: Job Fairs; Conservation Success; Manure Storage, Safety; All Weather Paddocks; Biochar; Upcoming Training Events

-- Penn State Extension Watershed Winds: Master Watershed Steward Emphasizes Conservation; Protect Your Septic System; Letort Spring Plant Walk; Tracking Stream Health

-- Schuylkill Action Network To Hold Annual Meeting Nov. 1 At Albright College In Berks County  [PaEN]

-- One United Lancaster: Lancaster Celebrates $1 Million Federal Grant For Street Tree Program

-- Foundation For Sustainable Forests: Register Now For Jim Finley Stewardship Day, Nov. 2

-- Delaware RiverKeeper Oct. 25 RiverWatch Video Report

-- WHYY: Real Estate Developer Aims To Control Flooding, Erosion In Chester County

-- Scranton Times: Dickson City Begins Work To Stabilize Price Creek Banks, Minimize Risk Of Disastrous Flood

-- WESA: Pittsburgh-Area Planners Prep For Climate Future - Pretty Much Everywhere It’s Gonna Be Wet

-- LancasterOnline Guest Essay: Are You Ready For The Next Natural Disaster?  Lancaster County Residents Must Be Prepared 

-- TribLive/AP: On Lake Erie, Getting Rid Of Problem Algae Starts With Giving It Less Food

[Posted: October 25, 2024]

 


10/28/2024

Go To Preceding Article     Go To Next Article

Return to This PA Environment Digest's Main Page