The State of North Dakota has been awarded $2.8 Million to Reclaim and Repurpose Abandoned Coal Mines

Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) stated that the US Department of the Interior (DOI) has awarded North Dakota $2,829,000 to reclaim and rehabilitate abandoned coal mines.

The Department of the Interior's Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) awarded the Abandoned Mine Land (AML) Reclamation grant, which is in addition to funding from the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. OSMRE awards AML funding to coal-producing states and tribes based on a formula set by Congress that considers previous and current coal output. OSMRE has distributed billions in funding to states and tribes through the AML Reclamation Program.

Over 45,000 abandoned underground mine shafts and openings have been closed, over 960 miles of unsafe highwalls have been removed, and over 850,000 acres of congested streams and land have been restored thanks to the monies.