The state of Kentucky has been in the business of cleaning up abandoned mine land sites for decades. A large infusion of federal money is expected to make a major impact in that effort.
Rebecca Shelton with the Appalachian Citizens Law Center calls it a “game changer.” She’s talking about the first check of $74 million to address old mine sites and orphaned gas and oil wells. Shelton said the state program at less than $10 million goes to tackle open portals, destabilized slopes, and coal refuse piles. She noted these federal dollars will help whittle down the list.
