NEPA Leads State in Local Funding -- Matt's Weekly Memo

Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill Helps Fund Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation

Dear John,

For years, I have been the leader in the US House advocating for Abandoned Mine Lands cleanup in this country. This week, I was joined by local partners and elected officials at the Old Forge borehole, which spews more than 60 million gallons of contaminated mine runoff water into the Lackawanna River every day.

This site is an example of places that can benefit from much-needed funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which I helped enact into law.

Pennsylvania has more unreclaimed Abandoned Mine Land (AML) acreage than any other state in the country. It represents 40.7% of the country’s reclamation costs - the vast majority of those being in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will bring over $1 billion directly to NEPA to support the reclamation of these AML sites.

With these funds, we will be able to reclaim our land and water from mine runoff, ensuring our children and grandchildren don't grow up breathing in polluted air and drinking contaminated water.

Left to right: Charlie Medico – Medico Industries, Inc.; Bernie McGurl – Executive Director, Lackawanna River Conservation Association; Bob Durkin – President & CEO, Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce; Rep. Cartwright; R. John Dawes (back) – Executive Director, Foundation for PA Watersheds; Lindsey Griffin – Executive Vice-President & CEO, Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce; Bobby Hughes – Executive Director, EPCAMR; Michael Hewitt – EPCAMR.

This funding is also about creating and protecting good-paying jobs, and boosting our local economy. I was proud to stand with environmental and economic stewards of our community and will continue to work with them to ensure we get the funding we need to clean up the contaminated AML sites in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

NEPA Leads the State in Federal Funding for Local Projects

One of the main reasons I worked to become a Chairman of the Appropriations Committee was to make sure Northeastern Pennsylvania gets its share of federal funding. This week, I was proud to release the list of the Top 10 Pennsylvania Members of Congress who were successful in getting Community Project Funding (CPF) approved by the House Appropriations Committee for fiscal year 2022.

This funding is about bringing much-needed change to Northeastern Pennsylvania. It's about helping our area get back on its feet and get its share of our federal tax dollars.

My submissions included support for emergency first responders, economic revitalization, workforce development initiatives and funding for stormwater infrastructure improvements, among others.

I also want to congratulate my colleague, Representative Dan Meuser, for his hard work and success in locating suitable projects, which from my position on the Committee I was thrilled to support as well. My hope is that, working together, we will expand upon these successes for Northeastern Pennsylvania in the years to come.

Stay Safe and Have a Happy New Year!

As we move into 2022, I am wishing you and your families a happy and safe new year! This last year has no doubt been a difficult time for many. It is my hope that, over the next year, we will continue our economic recovery from the pandemic and help families in Northeastern Pennsylvania get back on their feet.

With the rise in COVID-19 cases in our area, please be diligent with any New Year’s celebration plans and protect yourself and your loved ones. There’s no better time than now to get your vaccine and booster.

Be safe and well,

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