Rep. Cartwright, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland Highlight Investment to Clean Up Damage to Land and Water in NEPA From Abandoned Mine Lands

Press Release

U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright (PA-08) today was joined by Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, U.S. Senator Bob Casey and local partners to highlight investments in Abandoned Mine Land (AML) clean-up in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

"Since I got to Congress, I have been leading the charge for cleaning up abandoned mine land sites that continue to pollute our water and air. Today, Secretary Deb Haaland came to see firsthand what we're fighting for," said Rep. Cartwright. "Pennsylvania has more unreclaimed abandoned mine land acreage than any state in the country, the majority right here in Northeastern PA. Cleaning up abandoned mine lands will create good paying jobs and pave the way for economic development in our communities."

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) includes Cartwright's proposal to reauthorize the AML Trust Fund and invests $11.3 billion for reclamation and cleanup efforts across the country. Over the next 15 years, Pennsylvania is estimated to receive $3.8 billion to address contamination and pollution caused by its coal mining legacy.

Rep. Cartwright with Henry Zielinski -- Northampton Generating Co., LP, Senator Bob Casey (back) and Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland at the Swoyersville Bank Reclamation & Community Athletic Area Economic Revitalization Project, formerly the Harry E. Collier site.

"The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law makes critical investments to help clean up legacy pollution as part of the Biden-Harris administration's all-of-government approach to support communities as they address the lingering impacts of extractive industries," said Secretary Deb Haaland. "It will take a collaborative approach with local, state and Tribal leaders to help ensure our communities have healthy lands and waters in their neighborhoods. I so appreciate the opportunity to meet with federal, state, local, Tribal and labor leaders today to see how federal resources will make a difference and create jobs in communities across the state."

"Across Pennsylvania, 1.4 million people live within one mile of an abandoned mine site. Communities and families have borne the brunt of the negative impacts of abandoned mine land pollution, including ravaged landscapes, property damage and poor health. Today, Congressman Cartwright and I were able to show Secretary Haaland the work being done to reclaim mine land in Northeastern Pennsylvania," said Senator Casey. "For too long we've neglected the pressing needs of communities blighted by abandoned and polluted mines. The infrastructure law will bring $3 billion to communities throughout the Commonwealth to address vital abandoned mine land and water reclamation projects, clean legacy pollution, create jobs and improve Pennsylvanians' quality of life. I will keep fighting to bring home infrastructure investments to the Commonwealth and I will continue pressing for more flexibility of the abandoned mine land funding to remediate acid mine drainage, ensuring all Pennsylvania families have access to clean water."

Rep. Cartwright was also joined by Bobby Hughes, Executive Director of the Eastern Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation (EPCAMR). EPCAMR has long been engaged in advocacy to clean up the AML sites in Northeastern Pennsylvania and welcomes the funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

"EPCAMR is proud to discuss with Secretary Haaland the needs of our coalfield communities that are transitioning legacy mining landscapes to job-creating economic corridors," said Bobby Hughes, Executive Director, Eastern PA Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation (EPCAMR). "These investments, coupled with Rep. Cartwright's advocacy for acid mine drainage treatment, will lead to clean water and restored watersheds in our mining impacted communities and create good paying jobs in the manufacturing distribution and clean alternative energy sectors."

Background information:

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which was signed into law on November 15, 2021 with Rep. Cartwright's support, will create good-paying American jobs, heal scarred land and clean polluted water. It includes $21 billion for addressing Legacy Pollution and will clean up brownfield and superfund sites, reclaim abandoned mine lands and plug orphan oil and gas wells.

Pennsylvania has more unreclaimed abandoned mine land acreage than any other state in the country and represents 40.7% of the country's AML reclamation costs. Funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will support the reclamation of AML sites in Pennsylvania with nearly $3.8 billion coming directly to the Commonwealth. An estimate of each state's recipient amount can be viewed HERE.

Read more about Secretary Haaland's visit to the Eighth Congressional District HERE. Learn more about the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act HERE.

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