It is widely accepted that Pennsylvania is a leader in abandoned mine reclamation (AMR).  Many here in PA would agree that one reason we are so successful is because we have developed and maintained a cooperative community of agency employees at all levels of government, non-profit watershed associations, academia, and professional representatives of industry, business, and construction contractors all working towards a common good.  But beyond our cooperation, what specifically sets the AMR Community in Pennsylvania apart and what lessons can other abandoned coal mining-impacted states across our nation learn from us?

The Western PA Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation (WPCAMR) is interested in these questions and would like your participation in a discussion.  We are starting off with A SURVEY that digs deep.  It is only 20 questions, but it will get you thinking about PA’s success in AMR and the watershed movement more broadly.  We would like anyone and everyone who participates in abandoned mine reclamation in any capacity to complete THE SURVEY.

We will also be contacting key individuals for more in depth conversations on this topic.  If you would like to discuss this with us, feel free to give WPCAMR a call anytime at 724-832-3625 and ask for Anne Daymut.

We know that we are all busy and surveys can feel like a burden, but they can also be fun and, most likely, we have all thought about these questions a time or two.  And, who doesn’t like talking about themselves on occasion?  So, HERE is your chance to contribute to a great conversation. EPCAMR would like for our volunteers and partners in the region to participate in the survey. The results of THIS SURVEY will be shared at a national conference in September and will help to develop a Toolkit for the grassroots campaign underway that is promoting the Reauthorization of the collection fees associated with the Surface Mine Control and Reclamation Act of 1977.  Pass it along to anyone who can contribute.

The post Abandoned Mine Reclamation Community Cooperation Survey! Your Input Is Needed! appeared first on epcamr.org.

Apply now for the $5,000 ARIPPA AML/AMD Mini-grant award program through EPCAMR.  EPCAMR and WPCAMR 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 $2,500 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 the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania actively working on AML/AMD issues. Smaller grants are encouraged. Grant proposals should be for on-the-ground AML/AMD projects with a completion date between July 2017 and June 2018. Proposals are due July 7th. 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. You can obtain the official Request for Proposals and supporting documents here. EPCAMR will be receiving the $5000 donation on August 16th at their annual Technical Convention in Harrisburg, PA.

“EPCAMR has been able to leverage over hundreds of thousands of dollars in total over the last decade or more throughout our region in support of reclamation, education, and remediation projects on small scale projects thanks to the donations of the member Co-Gen plants of ARIPPA. Coalition partners that we work with tend to make a little bit of money go a long way in the coal region. We wouldn’t  be able to support our community efforts to reclaim abandoned mine lands without them as our long-term partner. We’re very appreciative of the efforts of George Ellis, ARIPPA Executive Director and his Staff, Cristy Doyle, and his member plants who have been great partners over the long term with EPCAMR,” emphasized Robert E. Hughes, EPCAMR Executive Director.

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. 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 filling mine pits, replacement for lime (for AMD remediation), a soil amendment at mining sites, and 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, symbolizes a commitment to improving the landscape and environment of our nation. If waste coal-fired plants are forced to close due to unreasonable regulations, streams will continue to be contaminated, public safety will continue to be at risk due to the dangers the piles pose, piles will continue to self-ignite and spew the same pollutants into the air that the regulations are trying to curtail, and communities will continue to be shadowed by the unsightly black mountains. All of this would be a tax-payer burden. EPCAMR has been a long-time partner of the Co-Generation Industry that has been reclaimed waste coal piles throughout PA for nearly 20 years. To review all of the work that they have completed and reclaimed, please read the following recently released Coal Refuse to Energy Summary.

Robert E. Hughes, EPCAMR Executive Director giving testimony in support of the Waste Coal Industry (ARIPPA) at the PA Senate Environmental Resource Committee Hearing in Jim Thorpe, PA.

To read, our EPCAMR Director’s Public Hearing Comments to the House SubCommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources-Committee on Natural Resources, read his Testimony, in support of the Waste Coal Industry.

The post ARIPPA Awards EPCAMR Another $5000 for Support of AMD & Reclamation-related Projects Across the Region appeared first on epcamr.org.

When: Tuesday June 11, 2013

Where: Sleeping Rooms: Ramada Inn 1450 S Atherton, State College, PA ($79 rate-Deadline: 5/28) (814) 238-3001 http://ramadasc.com/

Where: Meeting & Golf: Mountain View CC 100 Elks Club Rd Boalsburg, PA (814) 466-7231 http://www.mtviewcountryclub.com/

Register: You must pre-register/pay by June 7, 2013– See attached form

Questions Contact Cristy @ ARIPPA (717) 763-7635 admin@arippa.org

Tentative Agenda Format:

A) Educational Mixer and lunch—$45 pp

B) Optional Golf after lunch—$55 pp

*Organized in 1988 ARIPPA is a non profit association representing alternative energy generating plants that collectively produce between 3-5% of the electricity in the Pennsylvania-West Virginia region. For over two decades, coal refuse, has been used by ARIPPA member plants to fuel Circulating Fluidized Bed (CFB) combustion units, with the resultant alkaline ash used to reclaim mine lands. The industry directly or indirectly employs thousands of Commonwealth citizen-workers.  www.arippa.org

All net proceeds go to EPCAMR/WPCAMR

ARIPPA REGISTRATION FORM

Submit by June 7, 2013

You must pre-register to attend A and/or B below: Send this form to:

ARIPPA 2015 Chestnut Street Camp Hill PA 17011 Fax (717) 763- 7455

Phone (717) 763-7635 or Email admin@arippa.org

CHECK ALL ITEMS YOU WILL ATTEND:

A___ Educational Mixer and Lunch—$FREE

9am to 12pm Mt View Boardroom: Registration-Continental breakfast followed by Speakers/discussions with EPCAMR/WPCAMR and then lunch served indoors or on the adjacent outdoor patio

B___ Optional Golf following Lunch—$55 per person

1pm-on ARIPPA has reserved tee times at Mt View Country Club named the “Best Value in State College.” Nestled among the hills, offering panoramic views of Tussey Mountain, see for yourself why this is one of the best courses in the area. Built in 1963, the golf course was operated as the Elks Country Club until spring of 2012, when new ownership revitalized the facility by upgrading both the golf experience and the Club House.

Name: _______________________________________________

Company: ____________________________________________

Email: ____________________@_________________________

Phone # ( ____ )_____________Cell #(____)_________________

I WILL ATTEND THE FOLLOWING: (CHECKS PAYABLE TO ARIPPA)

_____A) Educational Mixer & Lunch ($FREE TO EPCAMR MEMBERS)$____________

_____B) Golf (greens fees & cart) ($55pp) $____________

Total amount enclosed: $____________

Send by June 7, 2013 to:

ARIPPA 2015 Chestnut Street Camp Hill PA 17011 Fax (717) 763- 7455

Phone (717) 763-7635 or Email admin@arippa.org

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