Published: February 15, 2022 |

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U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said the Department of Interior will provide Kentucky with $74,253,000 to reclaim abandoned mines through the Abandoned Mine Land (AML) program. Senator McConnell helped secure this funding by supporting last year’s bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which provides federal investment for improvements to Kentucky’s roads, highways, railroads, airports, broadband, and more.

According to a statement from his office, Sen. McConnell worked to create an AML pilot program — the AML Economic Revitalization (AMLER) grant program — in 2015 to develop projects on land previously used to mine coal. Separate from today’s funding announcement, Sen. McConnell has helped secure $140 million from this federal program for Kentucky projects. The Commonwealth ranks among the highest of all states for abandoned mine land reclamation needs.

The AML program provides funding to states to reclaim unproductive mine lands, close up abandoned mine shafts, repair unstable slopes, improve local water quality and create new economic opportunities in areas formerly used for mining. In turn, these activities create Kentucky jobs and provide new destinations for recreation, infrastructure and economic development. According to the Department of Interior, over the next fifteen years, the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will provide enough funding to address the vast majority of abandoned mine

“The Abandoned Mine Land reclamation program has delivered hundreds of millions of dollars to Kentucky communities to help reclaim unused mines and drive economic development. From improving our water systems, to establishing education opportunities, to constructing exciting tourist destinations, this program has helped Kentucky take full advantage of previously unused land and create new jobs in the process,” said Sen. McConnell.

“I have been a proud supporter of this program for many years and am thrilled the Senate’s bipartisan infrastructure bill will increase its funding significantly,” added McConnell.

Perry County officials said they were thankful for the funding and what it allows the region to do.

“On behalf of Hazard, Perry County and Eastern Kentucky, we would like to thank Sen. McConnell for the AML funding that will allow Eastern Kentucky more economic opportunities for infrastructure and job growth. This announcement is a great example of how federal, state and local governments can work together to invest in projects that greatly benefit us all as we work together to build a stronger and better economy in Eastern Kentucky,” said Betsy Clemons, executive director of the Hazard-Perry County Chamber of Commerce, who also serves as board secretary of the Hazard-Perry County Economic Development Alliance and board secretary of the Coalfields Industrial Board.

The AML program has already provided funding throughout Kentucky to establish new projects on abandoned mine lands. Bell County took advantage of an AMLER grant to build a new Appalachian wildlife viewing area, the City of Pikeville used one to construct a new children’s hospital, the City of Albany received AML funds to overhaul its water system, and Johnson County utilized the program to fund an educational and manufacturing skills training program, among others.

Source: Hazard Herald

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