WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Biden Administration’s plan to invest $725 million in cleaning up abandoned mines in 22 states and the Navajo Nation underscores how the bipartisan infrastructure law is benefiting people and wildlife, restoring public lands and waters, addressing the climate crisis, and creating good-paying union jobs. 

“This historic investment to clean up abandoned mines will restore wildlife habitat, protect safe drinking water supplies, and revitalize economically hard-hit communities. It will also help mitigate climate impacts by reducing methane emissions and expanding opportunities for carbon sequestration,” said Shannon Heyck-Williams, senior director of climate and energy policy at the National Wildlife Federation. “We are pleased to see the Biden Administration’s commitment to making sure that cleanup efforts will be locally-led to support job growth and new economic development opportunities in communities that have been adversely impacted by the abandoned mines.”

“West Virginians will benefit mightily from this long-overdue investment to clean up abandoned mines. For too long, our health, our waterways, and our lands have been threatened by the toxic pollution left behind by coal companies,” said Angie Rosser, executive director of West Virginia Rivers Coalition. “Using money from the bipartisan infrastructure law to clean up these messes will begin to address the environmental and health risks that we have all faced, while also creating good West Virginia jobs to improve the health of our economy.” 

“These investments to clean up toxic pollutants left by mining companies in our lands and waters is good news for wildlife, for rural communities, and for all who live and recreate on or near these lands,” said Camilla Simon, executive director of HECHO (Hispanics Enjoying Camping, Hunting, and the Outdoors). “Now we need to reform the current bonding system so that we won’t be faced with this problem again.”