OSMRE to Receive Investment for Abandoned Coal Mine Reclamation
June 1, 2021 - The Biden-Harris administration has submitted to Congress the President’s budget for fiscal year 2022 (FY22), including US$312 million for the Office of Surface Mining and Reclamation, which features US$165 million to address coal mine reclamation and economic development efforts.
As the administration continues to make progress defeating the pandemic and getting the US economy back on track, the President’s budget makes historic investments that will help the department address the climate crisis while creating good-paying jobs with a free and fair chance to join a union, and investing in healthy lands, waters, and economies of energy communities across the country.
“The Interior Department plays an important role in the President’s plan to reinvest in the American people. From bolstering climate resiliency and increasing renewable energy, to supporting Tribal Nations and advancing environmental justice, President Biden’s budget will make much-needed investments in communities and projects that will advance our vision for a robust and equitable clean energy future,” said Secretary Deb Haaland.
The President’s budget includes the two historic plans the President has already put forward – the Americans Jobs Plan and the American Families Plan – and reinvests in education, research, public health, and other foundations of our country’s strength. At the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, the President’s budget would:
- Support abandoned coal mine reclamation: The budget includes an additional US$50 million for the Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) grants programme, which supports abandoned coal mine reclamation projects that have a nexus to local economic development and to the creation of high-paying union jobs. AMLER grants are distributed to six Appalachian States and three Tribes with the highest number of unfunded Priority 1 and Priority 2 Abandoned Mine Land (AML) sites. The total grant amount available during FY22 will be US$165 million.
- Provide funds to combat the climate crisis: The budget proposes US$1.4 million in funding towards the transition to zero emission vehicles which will reduce transportation-related emissions and further combat the climate crisis.
- Provide relief to local communities: The budget also includes US$785 000 to protect society from the effects of past surface coal mining. These additional funds will allow OSMRE to address unforeseen Federal emergency reclamation projects, enabling OSMRE to provide immediate relief from emerging hazards in States and on Indian lands without an approved AML programme.
Enacting the President’s budget policies into law this year would strengthen our nation’s economy and lay the foundation for shared prosperity.
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