Dec. 23, 2009
Byrd Announces Almost $50 Million to Restore Abandoned Coal Mines in WV
Special to Huntingtonnews.net
Washington, DC (HNN) – Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-WV on Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2009 announced that the federal Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) is making available almost $50 million in funding to the State of West Virginia to restore abandoned coal mines, as part of its Abandoned Mine Land (AML) grant program. Nationwide $369 million is available for the 28 eligible coal-producing states and tribes to states and tribes to restore abandoned coal mines, an increase of over $70 million from last year. The monies being made available to West Virginia are the second highest in the Nation.
According to OSM the grants will fund projects that fill mine shafts, treat water pollution, and address other environmental problems resulting from lands mined and abandoned or left inadequately restored before the passage of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977.
Byrd, who has been a strong supporter of the program said, “I have long strived to maximize the funds available for reclaiming abandoned mine lands in West Virginia, and I hope to see even more funding in the future. This announcement presents an important opportunity to demonstrate the value of investing in programs that create jobs while eliminating hazards in our communities.”
The Abandoned Mine Land program is funded through fees assessed on annual coal production and pays the costs of these reclamation projects. The 25 states and three tribes eligible to receive funds apply to OSM for specific reclamation projects throughout the fiscal year, which ends September 30, 2010.
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar also noted that, ““These grants have consistently provided well-paying jobs in America’s economically depressed coal mining areas. It is estimated that OSM’s Abandoned Mine Lands program created thousands of new jobs last year alone, and this year’s increased funding will put more Americans to work and help them find their way out of this recession. Restoring lands and waters affected by past mining practices keeps jobs in areas hard hit by the economic downturn.”
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Byrd Announces Almost $50 Million to Restore Abandoned Coal Mines in WV
Special to Huntingtonnews.net
Washington, DC (HNN) – Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-WV on Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2009 announced that the federal Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) is making available almost $50 million in funding to the State of West Virginia to restore abandoned coal mines, as part of its Abandoned Mine Land (AML) grant program. Nationwide $369 million is available for the 28 eligible coal-producing states and tribes to states and tribes to restore abandoned coal mines, an increase of over $70 million from last year. The monies being made available to West Virginia are the second highest in the Nation.
According to OSM the grants will fund projects that fill mine shafts, treat water pollution, and address other environmental problems resulting from lands mined and abandoned or left inadequately restored before the passage of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977.
Byrd, who has been a strong supporter of the program said, “I have long strived to maximize the funds available for reclaiming abandoned mine lands in West Virginia, and I hope to see even more funding in the future. This announcement presents an important opportunity to demonstrate the value of investing in programs that create jobs while eliminating hazards in our communities.”
The Abandoned Mine Land program is funded through fees assessed on annual coal production and pays the costs of these reclamation projects. The 25 states and three tribes eligible to receive funds apply to OSM for specific reclamation projects throughout the fiscal year, which ends September 30, 2010.
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar also noted that, ““These grants have consistently provided well-paying jobs in America’s economically depressed coal mining areas. It is estimated that OSM’s Abandoned Mine Lands program created thousands of new jobs last year alone, and this year’s increased funding will put more Americans to work and help them find their way out of this recession. Restoring lands and waters affected by past mining practices keeps jobs in areas hard hit by the economic downturn.”
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