The Virginia Department of Energy’s division of Mined Land Repurposing (MLR) submitted a grant request to the U. S. Department of the Interior, Office of Surface Mining and Reclamation Enforcement (OSMRE) for funding of the FY2022 Abandoned Mine Land Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Grant. This grant provides support for program administration and construction projects for Virginia’s AML programs.

The AML Administration program provides support for Virginia’s AML program to protect the public health, safety and general welfare from the adverse effects of coal mining practices that occurred prior to the enactment of the Federal Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (the Act). The AML Construction Reclamation program provides funding for the reclamation of abandoned mine sites that endanger public health, safety and general welfare and are the result of adverse impacts of past coal mining practices prior to the Act. The information in this notice is current as of the publication date but is subject to change and is not binding to the government. Subject to federal funding, the following categories for projects will be solicited.

1.   Priority 1 Projects

These projects protect public health and safety from extreme effects of coal mining practices, including the restoration of adjacent land and water resources and the environment (Section 403(a)(1) of SMCRA).

2. Priority 2 Projects

These projects protect public health and safety from adverse effects of coal mining practices, including the restoration of adjacent land and water resources and the environment (Section 403(a)(2) of SMCRA).

3.  Priority 3 Projects

      These projects restore land and water resources and the environment previously degraded by adverse effects of coal mining practices (Section 403(a)(3) of SMCRA). These projects may include the design, construction, operation, maintenance, and rehabilitation of acid mine drainage (AMD) treatment facilities regardless of whether they are part of a qualified hydrologic unit.

4. Water Supply Restoration Projects

      Protection, repair, replacement, construction, or enhancement of facilities relating to water supply, including water distribution facilities and treatment plants, to replace water supplies adversely affected by coal mining practices (Section 403(b) of SMCRA).

How to Respond:

This is a public notice only; it is not a request for competitive proposals.  It is issued solely for information and planning purposes. It does not constitute a solicitation nor does it restrict the government as to the ultimate acquisition approach.  Not responding to this public notice does not preclude participation in any future request for proposal, if any is issued.

The formal closing date for this announcement and submission of responses is October 21, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. local time.  The submission of all questions and responses should be electronic, with the subject heading of: Company Name, AML BIL Grant, to the following e-mail:  vaenergyinfo@energy.virginia.gov.  Virginia Energy will respond to all inquiries by posting the answers under this announcement titled “Questions and Answers” and will remain posted until November 4, 2022.