While we can't bring back the iconic Richard Lewis (rest easy, brother), we can breathe some new life into America’s coal communities. 🌬️🏘️
Through a special initiative, the Biden Administration is granting millions for coal-related efforts across Ohio. 💰
Here’s Five Fast Facts on the latest round of funding:
- 👷 What's Mine is Yours - Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland recently visited the Buckeye State to announce that $46.4M in funding will go towards addressing dangerous and polluting abandoned mines. The money will also be used to create related jobs and economic opportunities.
- 💵 Second Time Around - The funding is part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Ohio also received $46.4M last year for similar efforts.
- ⚖️ State of Affairs - As of today, over $151M has been awarded to the following states through the program: Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Missouri, New Mexico, North Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming. Additional states and Tribes will also receive funding as they become eligible.
- 🏭 Coal Hard Facts - Old coal mines are everywhere across the U.S., and millions of Americans live less than a mile from an abandoned one. Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, $16B has been allocated towards addressing legacy pollution. For coal mines specifically, $11.3B will be allocated over a 15 year period.
- 🌅 Jobs All Around - Abandoned mine land remediation creates job opportunities in coal communities, like closing mine shafts, improving water quality, and reclaiming unstable slopes. Funding also ultimately helps the economy by rehabbing areas to be used for parks and commercial activity.
🔥Bottom line: Cleaning up dangerous coal mines and creating jobs? Sounds like a win-win. A less-polluted, safer place to live is all we can ask for. Want to read up on what else Ohio is spending money on? This article covers where the $2B from the latest spending bill goes.
Do you live in a coal community?
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