Rep. Summer Lee Sends Letter Requests Updates on Vital Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
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Rep. Summer Lee Sends Letter Requests Updates on Vital Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization Program

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Summer Lee (D-PA) sent a letter to Glenda Hudson Owens, Acting Director of the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) at the U.S. Department of the Interior, requesting updates on the implementation of critical recommendations to improve the Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) program.

The AMLER program is designed to address environmental hazards while fostering economic development in communities impacted by abandoned coal mines, particularly in regions like Appalachia. With Pennsylvania having the highest number of abandoned coal mines in the nation, Congresswoman Lee stressed the urgency of efficient project approvals and resource deployment to ensure safety, economic growth, and community well-being.

In her letter, Congresswoman Lee emphasized the need for immediate action to better streamline project approvals and fund distribution. Since 2016, over $1 billion has been allocated for AMLER activities, yet only 29% of these funds have been spent by program participants. Pennsylvania alone has successfully rehabilitated 150,000 acres of abandoned mine land, but further improvements to the program are necessary to expand its benefits to more communities.

The letter also referenced a report released by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) in June 2024, which offered several recommendations for enhancing the program. These include tracking proposal review times, improving guidance for states and Tribes, and streamlining processes to ensure quicker funding disbursements. Congresswoman Lee’s letter specifically requested updates on:

1. The progress of implementing a system to track proposal review times.
2. Steps taken to provide clearer guidance to states and Tribes on fund expenditure.
3. How proposal review data is being used to improve efficiency.
4. Progress in staffing and streamlining project review processes.
5. Timelines for the full implementation of these recommendations.
6. Additional initiatives to improve the program further.

Rep. Summer Lee’s statement:

“Abandoned mine land rehabilitation is not just about cleaning up hazardous sites—it’s about envisioning  a n future for   reclaimed land to create new opportunities  for our communities to build businesses, gain vital professional skills, recreate, and so much more communities . The AMLER program has the potential to be transformative for Appalachia and other coal communities, but we need to get resources out the door quicker and more effectively. I’m asking for answers from OSMRE to ensure we’re moving toward a healthier, more prosperous future for our communities.”

Congresswoman Lee is committed to ensuring the AMLER program lives up to its promise, protecting public health, creating good jobs, and restoring environmental safety in Pennsylvania and across Appalachia.

Since taking office in January 2023, Rep. Lee has been a champion for economic and environmental justice, delivering over $1.85 billion in federal investment to Western Pennsylvania. These funds have been critical for infrastructure improvements, clean energy projects, affordable transit, and job creation.

A full copy of the letter can be read here.

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Since taking office in January 2023, Lee, who serves on the House Oversight Committee and Space, Science and Technology Committee, has delivered historic levels of federal investment totaling over $1.85 Billion brought back to Western PA, including over $580 million for infrastructure, over $110 million for affordable transit, over $500 million to keep clean energy manufacturing at home in Pennsylvania, and over $55 million on clean energy efforts in and around schools to help keep our kids and communities safe. These investments will help improve Western Pennsylvania’s infrastructure and transit, ensure cleaner air and drinking water, lower housing costs, fund research institutions, fuel clean manufacturing, fund STEM innovation and entrepreneurship, boost workforce development, and create thousands of good paying union jobs.  Lee and her team have also delivered casework and constituent services to over 2,300 constituents with issues ranging from helping our seniors and disabled community access Medicare and social security to helping folks secure housing and helping families with immigration support and passports.