The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement announced the issuance of $134 million in fiscal year 2026 funding through the Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) Program, marking a decade of investment in coal communities working to rebuild and redefine their local economies.
“When I was overseeing the Abandoned Mine Lands Program as chief for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, I saw firsthand that this funding was critical for communities,” said Acting Assistant Secretary of Lands and Mineral Management Lanny E. Erdos.
“AMLER gives states the ability to do more than reclaim land. It gives them the ability to invest in what comes next. As the director of OSMRE, I see the full scale of this program. AMLER projects are creating jobs, building infrastructure, and opening doors for communities. That is what makes this program so important. It is not just about restoring land; it is about restoring opportunity for coal communities that have powered this country for decades, providing the baseload energy that has kept the lights on.”
Since its launch in 2016, AMLER has helped transform legacy coal mining sites into drivers of economic opportunity, supporting workforce development, infrastructure, energy projects, and community-led redevelopment across Appalachia and tribal lands. This year’s funding continues that momentum, with states and tribal partners leading project selection to ensure investments reflect local priorities and deliver lasting impact.
For fiscal year 2026, AMLER funding is allocated as follows:
- $29.5 million each for Kentucky, Pennsylvania and West Virginia
- $11.25 million each for Alabama, Ohio and Virginia
- $3.917 million each for the Crow Tribe and Navajo Nation
- $3.916 million for the Hopi Tribe
Eligible states and tribes collaborate with community and economic development partners to identify high-impact projects, ranging from energy infrastructure to manufacturing, recreation, and commercial redevelopment.