Land and Minerals Management officials made a visit to Vestavia Hills, Alabama on Wednesday to declare the allocation of more than $20.4 million in funding from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. This funding will be utilized to tackle pollution, provide employment opportunities, and boost economic growth in the state.
Legacy pollution from abandoned coal mines is causing environmental hazards and jeopardizing the health and safety of millions of Americans who reside within one mile of these sites.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, passed by the President, has allocated a total of $16 billion to tackle legacy pollution. This includes $11.3 billion in funding for Abandoned Mine Land (AML) over the course of the next 15 years.
Communities across the country will soon receive a much-needed boost as funds are expected to be allocated to address the large number of abandoned coal mine lands. This move is expected to tackle the pollution caused by historic coal mining and help eliminate its harmful effects. With this allocation, nearly all inventoried abandoned coal mine lands in the country will be addressed, bringing a much-needed relief to the affected communities.
According to Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Feldgus, President Biden’s Investing in America initiative presents an exceptional chance to tackle most of the existing abandoned mine hazards. The Interior Department is taking advantage of these new historic resources to address environmental injustices that have been present for a long time. This initiative will not only clean up toxic and hazardous sites but also generate job opportunities and revive former coal communities.
During a visit to the Jess Branch abandoned mine land reclamation project outside of Birmingham, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Feldgus announced that contractors are working on reclaiming the toxic and hazardous abandoned coal mine. This project is being funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which provided close to $4 million. The aim of this project is to benefit the surrounding community and wildlife.
The U.S. Department of the Interior’s press release highlights the importance of AML reclamation in supporting jobs in coal communities. The investment in such projects aids in the closing of hazardous mine shafts, stabilization of unstable slopes, treatment of acid mine drainage to improve water quality, and restoration of water supplies damaged by mining. Awarding such projects can also lead to economic revitalization by reclaiming hazardous land for recreational facilities and other redevelopment, such as advanced manufacturing and renewable energy deployment. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law mandates that funding for projects should prioritize current and former coal industry employees.
As a part of its commitment towards supporting sustainable economy and a healthier environment in communities affected by the closure of mines or power plants, the Biden-Harris Administration has allocated funds for this purpose.
Biden’s Justice40 Initiative has set a target of providing 40% of the benefits of federal investments to communities that have been adversely affected by pollution. This endeavor is a step forward in achieving that goal.
The Methane Action Plan of the Biden-Harris Administration places great importance on the restoration of abandoned coal mines. This initiative aims to curb methane emissions, which are a significant contributor to climate change, while also generating high-paying employment opportunities and fostering innovation.
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