Deb Haaland U.S. Secretary of the Interior | Official Website
The Department of the Interior has announced a significant allocation of more than $140 million in fiscal year 2024 to address legacy pollution and stimulate economic growth in West Virginia's coal communities. This funding is part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, aiming to tackle the hazardous effects of abandoned mine lands while creating sustainable job opportunities.
According to the department, millions of Americans live close to these abandoned mines. The President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has earmarked a total of $16 billion for addressing legacy pollution nationwide, including nearly $11.3 billion dedicated specifically to Abandoned Mine Land (AML) funding over 15 years. This initiative, managed by the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE), aims to remediate almost all inventoried abandoned coal mine lands across the country.
"With this funding, we are not just cleaning up the past—we are building a more sustainable and prosperous future for coal communities that have powered our nation for generations," stated Secretary Deb Haaland. "This is an opportunity to ensure that these communities are at the forefront of job creation, clean energy innovation, and economic revitalization."
OSMRE Principal Deputy Director Sharon Buccino highlighted that “The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law infuses coal communities with the funding necessary to turn past pollution into future prosperity.” She emphasized that this historic investment will enhance safety, improve environmental conditions, and create jobs—outcomes vital for these areas.
This announcement follows more than $280 million previously allocated under President Biden’s Investing in America agenda since the enactment of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. In total, over $492 million has been awarded nationwide for fiscal year 2024 thus far. Additional funds will be distributed on a rolling basis as eligible states apply.
AML reclamation projects support employment by focusing on initiatives like closing dangerous mine shafts and improving water quality through acid mine drainage treatment. They also promote economic revitalization by repurposing hazardous land for new developments such as recreational facilities or renewable energy sites. Priority will be given to projects employing current or former coal industry workers.
These efforts form part of broader investments by the Biden-Harris administration aimed at facilitating an equitable transition towards a sustainable economy post-mine or power plant closures. Additionally, it supports the Justice40 Initiative which targets delivering 40 percent of federal investment benefits to disadvantaged communities historically affected by underinvestment and pollution burdens.
Reclaiming abandoned mines is also integral to the administration's Methane Action Plan focused on reducing methane emissions while fostering job creation and American innovation.
