Source: United States Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND)
BISMARCK – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure, announced the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) awarded North Dakota more than $3.1 million for abandoned coal mine reclamation projects. The funding for this Abandoned Mine Land (AML) Reclamation grant was increased in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
“North Dakota is consistently proactive when it comes to initiatives like coal mine reclamation. This award will help create jobs and support efforts already underway in our state to properly clean up and repurpose mines. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law set aside strong funding for North Dakota and I’m pleased to see these resources administered as directed by Congress,” said Senator Cramer.
OSMRE provides AML grants to coal-producing states and tribes based on a congressionally mandated formula that evaluates past and current coal production by these entities. North Dakota has primacy for AML funding. On a national scale, program achievements include closing over 45,000 abandoned underground mine shafts and openings, eliminating over 960 miles of dangerous highwalls, and restoring over 850,000 acres of clogged streams and land.