Abandoned coal mine reclamation and environmental protection remain top priorities

WASHINGTON – The Biden-Harris administration today released the President’s Budget for Fiscal Year 2025. The budget makes critical, targeted investments in the American people that will promote greater prosperity and economic growth for decades to come, including nearly $305 million for the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement to ensure coal mines are operated in a manner which protects citizens and the environment, land is restored to beneficial use following mining, and pollution and safety hazards from legacy abandoned coal mines are properly addressed.

"The President's fiscal year 2025 budget proposal makes critical investments in America's coal communities laying a stronger foundation for generations to come," said Sharon Buccino, OSMRE principal deputy director. "These investments will create good-paying jobs and encourage the economic growth of coal communities across the country."

At the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, the budget will:

• Reclaim abandoned mine lands. A request for $175.8 million will restore eligible lands and waters mined and left inadequately reclaimed before the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act enactment in 1977, which includes:
  • $135 million for the Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization grants program to return legacy coal mining sites to productive use, foster local economic development, and help create good-paying jobs.
  • $21.1 million for state reclamation program oversight, expanded water treatment grants to mitigate acid mine drainage, federal reclamation operations and projects, and reclamation program development.
  • $19.7 million for technology development and transfer, financial management, and executive direction.

• Regulate coal mining and provide technical assistance. A request of $128.9 million will help OSMRE and states regulate active coal mining activities and provide technical training and assistance to state regulatory programs.
  • $91.4 million for environmental protection programs, of which $65 million is for state and Tribal regulatory grants.
  • $37.5 million for technology development and transfer, financial management and executive direction activities.

For more information on the President’s FY 2025 Budget, please visit: https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/.

– OSMRE –

OSMRE carries out the requirements of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 in cooperation with states and Tribes. OSMRE’s objectives are to ensure that coal mining activities are conducted in a manner that protects citizens and the environment during mining, to ensure that the land is restored to beneficial use after mining, and to mitigate the effects of past mining by aggressively pursuing reclamation of abandoned coal mines. For more information, visit www.osmre.gov or connect with us through any of these social media channels: Facebook, Flickr, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and YouTube.