March 20, 2019 - Over $35 million has been awarded to West Virginia for mine reclamation projects.

The U.S. Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement has granted the state $35,754,311 as an Abandoned Mine Land (AML) grant.

The AML grants are meant to help eliminate pollution and environmental damage caused by past coal mining. The program is funded, in part, by a fee based on U.S. coal production.

"Through OSMRE funding, West Virginia has previously completed projects that reclaimed a 17-acre burning refuse in Nicholas County, installed four mine seals, and streambank protection in Kanawha County, as well as an ongoing project to protect houses from landslides caused by mining in Harrison County," Senator Joe Manchin said in a press release. "This funding and support have real-life impacts on West Virginians and our communities, and I am glad that West Virginia is receiving the funding we need to reclaim, rebuild and reuse these sites.”