The RECLAIM Act garnered excitement and support from across the US with the hope of investing funds to clean up abandoned coal mines and create new economic opportunities. The bipartisan infrastructure law includes $11.3 B for AML reclamation, boosting the reclamation economy in the coalfields. On March 24th, we learned what’s next for coal communities looking to spur economic development through cleaning up abandoned coal sites.
Speakers included:
–Hunter Ridgway, Chief of Staff and Senior Policy Advisor to Congressman Matt Cartwright
–Briggs White, Deputy Executive Director – Interagency Working Group on Coal and Power Plant Communities and Economic Revitalization
–Chelsea Barnes, Legislative Director, Appalachian Voices
–Katie Harris, Deputy Legislative Director, BlueGreen Alliance
–Rebecca Shelton, Director of Policy & Organizing at Appalachian Citizens Law Center
Moderated by Dana Kuhnline, RECLAIM Campaign Coordinator