The cost of reclaiming abandoned mine lands is massive, but the fee that funds cleanup is set to expire in 2021 unless Congress extends it.
Blog Archives
A decision point for abandoned coal mines
An accurate inventory of abandoned coal mine lands is imperative for understanding the scope of the problem, where funding needs to be directed, and how much funding is necessary.
TAGS: abandoned coal mines abandoned mines aml AML reauthorization appalachia Coal mine reclamation Office of Surface Mining OSMRE reclaim
Projects to reclaim old coal sites get $10 million in federal grants
Ten economic development projects in Southwest Virginia have been selected to receive $10 through the Abandoned Mine Land Pilot Program, including a multi-use trail and a commercial solar farm.
TAGS: abandoned mine lands aml economic development reclaim RECLAIM Act reclamation southwest virginia
Southwest Virginia awarded grants for innovative coal mine reclamation projects
CONTACT Chelsea Barnes New Economy Program Manager chelsea@appvoices.org, (276) 207-9636 Norton, Va. — Ten community revitalization projects that will reclaim old coal mining sites in Southwest Virginia will receive $10 million in grant money administered by the Virginia Department of…
TAGS: abandoned mine lands aml coalfields economic development RECLAIM Act Solar Energy southwest virginia sun tribe
Good – and not-so-good – mine reclamation projects
Congress has funded “pilot” projects to repurpose old coal sites in Appalachia for three years; the results show a clear need for a strong RECLAIM Act grounded in community-driven goals and environmental cleanup.
Laying the Groundwork for Innovative Mine Reclamation Projects
A coalition of environmental groups including Appalachian Voices released a report in November detailing opportunities to give old mine lands new life.
20 former coal sites in Appalachia identified for innovative economic development
Norton, VA — A coalition of groups in Central Appalachia today issued a report highlighting 20 innovate projects that would clean up abandoned coal mine lands and give them new life as sustainable agriculture businesses, solar farms or other economic…
TAGS: abandoned mine lands aml appalachia regional commission economic development power grant RECLAIM Act redevelopment Solar uva-wise
House renews funding to clean up old coal mines
The House of Representatives yesterday evening passed two measures that would continue the critical work of communities in Central Appalachia to cleanup and repurpose old coal mines for new economic development initiatives. The two amendments to the Interior appropriations bill…
The Ongoing Cleanup of Abandoned Coal Mines
A key federal mine reclamation program is up for reauthorization in 2021 — and the work is far from finished.
TAGS: abandoned mine lands Acid Mine Drainage aml AML pilot program AML reauthorization Cheat River Gorge SMCRA
More to ‘pumped storage’ than meets the eye
A plan to use defunct coal mines in Southwest Virginia for a hydroelectric facility could be a great idea — provided it uses local workers and locally sited solar energy to run the operation.
TAGS: abandoned mine lands aml dominon energy economic development hydroelectricity Pumped storage southwest virginia
