Virginia abandoned mine land receives federal boost

(The Center Square) — Old coal mining sites in Southwest Virginia are being repurposed into places of business, outdoor recreation, entertainment, and greener forms of energy production thanks to $10 million in recently awarded federal grants.

Since 2017, various development projects in Southwest Virginia have received federal funding through the Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization Program.

The program contributes to projects involving mine land that was active before 1977 in the six Appalachian states “with the highest amount of unfunded Priority 1 and Priority 2 AML sites” and three Native American tribes with abandoned mine land programs. Priority 1 and 2 sites pose a threat to human health, safety or property.

“As we strengthen our commitment to accelerate growth in Southwest Virginia, these important projects bring unique economic opportunities to our coal communities,” said Gov. Glenn Youngkin in a statement.

This year, grants were awarded to two projects in Wise County, one in Tazewell County, and one in Dickenson and Buchanan Counties.

Virginia Energy Director Glenn Davis also applauded the funding awards, saying that previous years' awards have bolstered area jobs.

“The AMLER program meets the top three priorities of Virginia Energy: safety, positive environmental impact and good economic development,” said Virginia Energy Director Glenn Davis. “The industrial developments, affordable energy initiatives and community impact projects created through this program over the last seven years have supported 453 jobs.”

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Funds to Tazewell County will go toward a micro natural gas power plant, which should ultimately make energy more affordable locally. Dickenson and Buchanan counties will receive $2.75 million for Cumberland Outdoor Recreation, the “largest conservation easement in Virginia creating public access to land for outdoor recreation.”

The other $5.25 million will go toward the Wise County projects: another access road to an industrial development that previously received AMLER funding and a retaining wall in an area that might later see further development.