Mining in Alabama

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act aka The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL)

Public Law 117-58: The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also known as “The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL),” was enacted on November 15, 2021. This enacted legislation included language that directly, or in some cases indirectly, impacts OSMRE. In addition to the extension of abandoned mine land (AML) fee collections and mandatory AML Grant distributions, $11.293 billion in new funding was authorized to be appropriated for deposit into the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund. The objective of the BIL AML Program is to address coal AML related problems described, which include: coal AML emergencies, physical hazards resulting from legacy coal mining that pose a threat to public health, safety, and the environment (including acid mine drainage), and water supplies that has been adversely affected by legacy coal mining. The BIL also encourages States and Tribes to prioritize projects that provide employment for current and former employees of the coal industry. Additionally, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, authorized eligible States and Tribes to retain up to 30 percent of the BIL AML grants in a long-term abandoned mine land reclamation fund established under State law for the following uses: abatement of causes and treatment of the effects of acid mine drainage resulting from coal mining practices, including costs associated with acid main drainage treatment systems; the prevention, abatement, and control of subsidence; and the prevention, abatement, and control of coal mine fires. States and Tribes eligible for BIL AML funds are encouraged to conduct public engagement as early as possible for each grant cycle, with the public provided at least 60 days to review and provide input on the projects that will be proposed for funding in the State or Tribe’s grant application.