Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization Program

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Stored: Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization Program

Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization Program
Type Program
Sponsor Organization Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement
Top Organization Department of the Interior
Creation Legislation None
Website Website
Purpose The Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization Program provides grants to reclaim abandoned coal mine lands while fostering economic and community development in coalfield regions. It aims to create jobs, revitalize communities, and address legacy pollution through sustainable land reuse.
Program Start 2016
Initial Funding $90 million
Duration Ongoing
Historic No


The Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization Program (AMLER), launched in 2016 by the Department of the Interior through the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE), supports six Appalachian states and three Tribes with over $1 billion in grants by 2025 to reclaim abandoned coal mines and spur economic redevelopment.

States

  • Kentucky
  • Pennsylvania
  • West Virginia
  • Alabama
  • Ohio
  • Virginia

Tribes

  • Crow
  • Hopi
  • Navajo

Initially funded with $90 million as a pilot under the POWER Initiative, AMLER has awarded funds annually—e.g., $130 million in FY 2024—supporting projects like Pennsylvania’s botanic garden expansion and Virginia’s solar farms, though only 29% of funds were spent by 2024 due to lengthy OSMRE review processes.[1] It complements the $11.3 billion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law AML investments, advancing sustainable reuse without a set end date.

Official Site

Goals

  • Reclaim abandoned mine lands to eliminate safety hazards and pollution.
  • Stimulate economic growth and job creation in coal communities.
  • Promote sustainable land reuse for recreation, renewable energy, and industry.[2]

Organization

The Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization Program is administered by OSMRE under DOI’s Land and Minerals Management, led by Principal Deputy Director Sharon Buccino as of 2025, with states and Tribes managing local project selection. Funding comes from annual congressional appropriations, not the AML Reclamation Fund.[3]

Partners

History

AMLER began in 2016 as the AML Pilot Program with $90 million under Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016, renamed AMLER in 2021 to reflect its expanded scope.[4] It grew with $115 million in FY 2021, $135 million in FY 2023, and $130 million in FY 2024 (web ID: 5), though GAO noted slow spending (29% by 2024, web ID: 13). By 2025, over $1 billion has been allocated, enhancing coalfield revitalization alongside BIL’s $11.3 billion AML funding.

Funding

Initial funding of $90 million in 2016 seeded AMLER, with over $1 billion appropriated by 2025—e.g., $130 million in FY 2024—via annual congressional acts like Public Law 117-328.[5] Ongoing appropriations supplement BIL’s $11.3 billion, funding reclamation and development without a set end, though spending lags persist (web ID: 13).

Implementation

AMLER distributes grants to eligible states and Tribes annually—e.g., $28.67 million each to KY, PA, WV in FY 2024—via OSMRE’s review process, tracked at osmre.gov/amler.[6] It progresses through project proposals balancing reclamation and economic reuse, like solar farms and botanic gardens, adapting to community needs with no fixed end amid review delays (1,100+ days, web ID: 13).

Related

External links

Social media

References

  1. ↑ "AMLER Program". Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement. https://www.osmre.gov/programs/abandoned-mine-land-economic-revitalization-amler-program. 
  2. ↑ "FY 2024 AMLER Funding". Department of the Interior. https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/interior-department-announces-130-million-help-create-jobs-and-revitalize-land-coal. 
  3. ↑ "AMLER Overview". Energy Communities. https://www.energycommunities.gov/funding-opportunity/abandoned-mine-land-economic-revitalization-amler-program. 
  4. ↑ "FY 2023 AMLER Funding". Department of the Interior. https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/interior-department-announces-135-million-help-create-jobs-and-revitalize-land-coal. 
  5. ↑ "AMLER Program". Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement. https://www.osmre.gov/programs/abandoned-mine-land-economic-revitalization-amler-program. 
  6. ↑ "FY 2024 AMLER Funding". Department of the Interior. https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/interior-department-announces-130-million-help-create-jobs-and-revitalize-land-coal. 
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