Deb Haaland Secretary at U.S. Department of Interior | Official website
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management Dr. Steve Feldgus traveled to Morgantown, West Virginia, to announce the allocation of more than $140 million in fiscal year 2023 funding from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. The funding aims to address dangerous and polluting abandoned mine lands (AML) in West Virginia, create jobs, and catalyze economic opportunities in coal communities.
During the announcement, Dr. Feldgus highlighted the importance of the funding, stating, “There are thousands of miles of streams throughout Appalachia that are polluted and lifeless due to acid runoff from former mines. With once-in-a generation funding from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, we can create jobs and restore waterways to health while harvesting new sources of critical minerals that will help reduce our dependence on foreign nations.”
The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement Principal Deputy Director Sharon Buccino emphasized the mission of the OSMRE, stating, “Our mission at OSMRE, at its core, is about making people safer, cleaning up the environment, and encouraging economic development in coal communities. What we will be able to accomplish due to the historic investment from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is an unprecedented, once-in-a-generation opportunity.”
The funding, facilitated by OSMRE through the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, includes a total of $16 billion allocated to address legacy pollution, with $11.3 billion specifically designated for AML funding over 15 years. This funding is expected to address nearly all of the currently inventoried abandoned coal mine lands in the nation, helping communities eliminate dangerous conditions and pollution caused by historic coal mining.
Dr. Feldgus also visited the Richard Mine acid mine drainage treatment plant during his trip, which is partially funded by AML grants to West Virginia. The facility is set to extract rare earth elements from acid mine drainage and discharge treated, clean water into Deckers Creek, showcasing the innovative solutions being implemented with the funding.
The allocation of funds to West Virginia is part of the Biden-Harris administration’s broader efforts to support an equitable transition to a sustainable economy and a healthier environment in communities impacted by the closure of mines or power plants. This initiative aligns with the President’s Justice40 Initiative, which aims to deliver 40 percent of the overall benefits of federal investments to historically disadvantaged communities.
Additionally, reclaiming abandoned coal mines is a key component of the administration’s Methane Action Plan, which focuses on reducing methane emissions and creating job opportunities while promoting American innovation.
The funding announced for West Virginia is just one part of the administration’s multi-faceted approach to revitalizing coal communities, addressing environmental challenges, and supporting a sustainable economic transition.
