| The long-time effort will continue to clean-up abandoned West Virginia coal mines, abandoned over several decades by coal operators, many of them strip mines.
The latest federal $66.5 million grant will continue a funded reclamation program in the Mountain State since 1977, with millions of dollars already spent.
"This new funding, the most ever granted to our state under this program, will enable us to continue the good work of restoring our mined lands," said Congressman Rick Joe Rahall(D-WV)
Congresswoman Shelly Moore Captio (R-WV) said the clean-up grant "guarantees a better environment for our kids and grandkids."
Neither Rahall or Captio discussed the environmental problems perpetuated by coal operators on the state, many operators assume little if any responsibility for restoring or reclamation.
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