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Who says Biden can't-Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Abandoned Mine Land Grant Program [1]

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Date: 2022-07-25

On Thursday, July 21, 2022, the Department of the Interior, Biden-Harris Administration Releases Final Guidance on Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Abandoned Mine Land Grant Program. From the Dept of Interior website

“President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law delivers the largest investment in cleaning up abandoned mine lands in history. Through this program, we are investing in coal communities through job creation -- including for current and former coal workers -- and economic revitalization, all while addressing harmful environmental impacts from these legacy developments,” said Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland. “The Biden-Harris administration is committed to addressing legacy pollution and helping working families in every way we can who face hazardous pollution, toxic water levels, and land subsidence both during mining and long after coal companies have moved on.”

It is not only coal mines that have a clean-up problem but also mines throughout the west, mainly in our mountainous areas. Many of these mines were on or close to Native American reservations. With a new Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, who has a Native American background, not only will affected groups in coal mining areas be helped, but our original inhabitations of the North and South America continent.

“The Biden-Harris administration today released final guidance for eligible states and the Navajo Nation on how to apply for the first $725 million in funding available for reclaiming abandoned mine lands (AMLs). President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides a total of $11.3 billion in AML grant funding over 15 years to eligible states and Tribes to help communities eliminate dangerous environmental hazards and pollution caused by past coal mining while creating good-paying jobs and revitalizing coal communities.”

So many of the coal, oil and gas, and power plant communities are near disadvantaged and ethnic groups and they have paid with shorter lives, and illnesses, and have seen their children grow up with not only physical handicaps, but lead and other toxic chemical-induced brain disorders and disabilities. Even starting last year, efforts were already started by our President:

“... the Interagency Working Group on Coal and Power Plant Communities and Economic Revitalization, which has delivered more than $5 billion in federal funding to priority energy communities since last year. This effort also advances the President’s Justice40 Initiative, which commits to delivering 40 percent of the benefits of certain climate and clean energy investments to disadvantaged communities.”

Biden has not forgotten anyone. The program incorporates public comments. The program invests in disadvantaged communities. Methane emissions will be addressed. And employment for those in the areas affected will be prioritized.

“In addition to tackling health and safety hazards from legacy abandoned coal mine sites, AML funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law can also be used to clean up rivers, streams and other waterways that are polluted by acid mine drainage. Prioritize projects that invest in disadvantaged communities consistent with the President’s Justice40 Initiative ;”

The communities that have been abused and forgotten now have legislation aimed directly at them and their homeland.

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[1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2022/7/25/2112167/-Who-says-Biden-can-t-Bipartisan-Infrastructure-Law-Abandoned-Mine-Land-Grant-Program

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