OSMRE Issues $120 Million in Grants to Reclaim Abandoned Coal Mines
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The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement announced nearly $120 million in fiscal year 2026 abandoned mine land reclamation fee-based grants for eligible states and tribes. This is critical funding that will help eliminate dangerous mine hazards, restore damaged lands, and strengthen coal communities across the nation.
These grants, authorized under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977, protect public safety, support local economies, and help communities repurpose former mine lands for new and productive uses. Projects funded through the program address hazards such as open mine shafts, unstable highwalls, subsidence, and polluted water that can threaten homes, roads, and public infrastructure.
“The Abandoned Mine Lands Fee‑based grants remain one of our most effective tools for restoring communities impacted by legacy mining,” said Lanny Erdos, OSM Director.
“These funds give the states and tribes the funding needed to address safety hazards, protect public health, and return damaged lands to productive use,” added Erdos.
Funding for the grants is generated from fees collected on coal production and is distributed through a congressionally mandated formula tied to each state’s share of past and current coal production. Since 1977, OSMRE has distributed more than $6.5 billion in abandoned mine land fees collected to states and tribes.
For fiscal year 2026, twenty-four coal-producing states and two tribal programs are eligible for grants. A mandatory 5.7 percent sequestration applies to the total, resulting in a final amount of more than $113 million.
By directly funding state and tribal reclamation programs, the abandoned mine land grants reflect the federal government’s continued commitment to regions that fueled America’s industrial growth. States and tribes develop project proposals and oversee implementation, ensuring solutions are tailored to local needs.
A full list of grant recipients, amounts, and additional information about abandoned mine land programs can be found HERE.
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