April 20, 2012 – ARIPPA AML/AMD Reclamation $10,000 Award
By: Anne Daymut, WPCAMR Watershed Coordinator
Now in our third year, WPCAMR and EPCAMR have partnered with the Anthracite Region Independent Power Producer’s Association (ARIPPA) to offer a competitive award to watershed organizations working on Abandoned Mine Land (AML) and/or Abandoned Mine Drainage (AMD) remediation projects. Grants, at a maximum of $5,000, will be awarded to at least one eligible environmental organization or conservation district in the Anthracite Region and one eligible environmental organization or conservation district in the Bituminous Region in Pennsylvania, actively working on AML/AMD issues. Grant proposals should be for on-the-ground AML/AMD construction projects, with a completion date between August 2011 and August 2013. Proposals are due June 30th. The amount granted is dependent upon demonstrated need. Applying organizations must support the mission of ARIPPA, including the removal and conversion of waste coal into alternative energy and the beneficial use of CFB ash for AML/AMD reclamation.
In the past two years, the ARIPPA Award has funded the following projects:
- Clearfield Creek Watershed Association (2010): $8,000 for Swank 13 AMD Passive Treatment
- Evergreen Conservancy (2010): $2,000 for Alternative Energy development at Tanoma Wetlands
- Earth Conservancy (2010): $460 to replace informational signage on the Mocanaqua Loop Trail developed on abandoned mine lands
- Schuylkill Headwaters Association (2010): $4,770 to repair the Glendower Breech which will return a stream back to its original channel avoiding contact with coal sediment
- Eastern Middle Anthracite Region Recovery, Inc. (2010): $4,770 for construction of a raw water intake on the Audenreid Treatment System to increase flow to the micro-hydro turbines
- Blackleggs Creek Watershed Association (2011): $2,500 for the construction of a concrete pad for a lime-dosing silo in the Bear Run Treatment complex
- Stream Restoration Incorporated (2011): $2,500 for project costs associated with removing waste coal refuse to be used in energy production and the construction of an AMD treatment system
- Schuylkill Headwaters Association (2011): $3,000 for the Wagner Run Restoration project to keep water in the stream channel, reducing the volume of the Pine Knot AMD discharge
- Huber Breaker Preservation Society (2011): $1,000 for the Huber Memorial Park pedestrian access gate project to place a gate in a wrought iron fence surrounding the property
- Eastern Middle Anthracite Region Recovery, Inc. (2011): $1,000 for the Audenreid Micro-Hydro AMD Treatment System Raw Water Intake project to provide reliable flow to the system
Organized in 1988, ARIPPA is a non-profit trade association based in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. Membership is located in both the Anthracite and Bituminous Regions of Pennsylvania and comprised of:
- independent electric generating plants producing alternative energy and/or steam from coal refuse and
- businesses associated with the coal refuse – to – alternative energy industry
Accordingly, ARIPPA is organized to:
- advance the alternative energy electric power production industry
- encourage education about the generation of alternative energy and related industries
- promote the environmentally responsible production of electric power
- promote the utilization of alternative energy electric power
- endorse the continuity and growth of the alternative energy power production industry
- assist in meeting this country’s energy, industrial, economic, and environmental needs
Due in part to ARIPPA member activities, unsightly coal refuse piles and the problems associated with them are gradually disappearing. Thousands of acres of land have been and continue to be reclaimed to a natural state or for productive use and future development. ARIPPA facilities remove and utilize coal refuse from both past and current mining activities, thereby abating acid mine drainage from coal refuse piles. ARIPPA reports that 145 million tons of coal refuse has been processed and converted into alternative energy by their member plants from 1998 to 2008. Further, the technology used to convert coal refuse to electricity, known as Circulating Fluidized Bed (CFB) technology, produces alkaline-rich ash by-products. There are many beneficial uses for CFB ash, including: as a mine pit filler; as a replacement for lime (for acid mine drainage remediation); for acid mine drainage remediation; as a soil amendment at mining sites; and/or as a concrete additive for roadways.
The unique nature of ARIPPA’s work combined with the desire to coordinate efforts with environmentally oriented groups and governmental agencies symbolize a commitment to improving the landscape and environment of our nation.
You can obtain the official Request for Proposals and supporting documents at the EPCAMR website.
You can learn more about ARIPPA at the ARIPPA website.
