Pennsylvania is set to receive $244 million in federal funding for the third year in a row to continue its vital work on cleaning up abandoned mine lands. This effort is part of a larger plan, backed by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, to address the legacy of mining in the state and across Appalachia.
Lt. Governor Austin Davis joined forces with U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland to highlight this crucial funding. Haaland emphasized that this money is more than just a cleanup effort—it’s about revitalizing local economies and creating jobs. “These smart investments will build a cleaner, healthier, and more just future for communities across the country,” she said.
Pennsylvania, with its extensive mining history, has nearly 10,000 abandoned mine sites, many of which are hazardous to both people and the environment. This significant infusion of federal money aims to tackle these issues head-on.
Back in April, Haaland visited Bovard, PA, where she discussed how these funds would protect the town from mine subsidence, a problem where the ground sinks due to collapsed underground mines, threatening homes and businesses.
Pennsylvania is a major recipient in a broader $11 billion national fund allocated for mine reclamation. While Pennsylvania receives a large chunk, other Appalachian states like West Virginia and Kentucky are also getting substantial amounts to address similar issues.
Eric Dixon from the Ohio River Valley Institute noted the dramatic increase in funding. Just a few years ago, the annual federal funding was $27 million; now it’s $244 million each year. “These funds are not just cleaning up the land but also creating well-paying jobs and providing skilled labor opportunities across the region,” Dixon pointed out.
U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), a strong proponent of these reclamation efforts, underlined the importance of this work. “Too many Pennsylvania communities still face the dangers of abandoned mine lands—polluted waterways, property damage, and underground mine fires,” he said. “This funding helps protect our environment and boosts local economies with new, good-paying jobs.”
The state isn’t just looking to clean up the old mines but also to repurpose these lands for future use. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection recently identified 169,000 acres of abandoned mine lands that could host solar energy projects.
This aligns with the broader push for renewable energy, exemplified by a recent $90 million federal grant supporting the state’s largest solar project on former mine lands.