EPA honors company for mine cleanup work in Greene County

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recognized AMD Reclamation, Inc. today for efficiently using federal funding to build an acid mine drainage treatment facility and outfall sewer in Dunkard Township, Greene County, Pa.

“AMD Reclamation provides an excellent example of how communities and private companies can work together to address acid mine drainage – one of Pennsylvania’s most significant sources of water pollution,” said Donald S. Welsh, administrator for EPA’s mid-Atlantic region.

AMD Reclamation, Inc, a private company that specializes in cleaning up acid mine drainage sites, received a loan to build a treatment facility to prevent the discharge of raw mine water into surface waters in southwestern Pennsylvania . The creation of the acid mine drainage pond not only protected surface waters, but also allowed an existing mine to be reopened, thereby creating an economic benefit to the Greene County community.

The Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) selected AMD Reclamation, Inc. to receive EPA’s 2006 PISCES award. The award is presented to communities or other loan recipients that most effectively and efficiently use funding from the EPA’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund program. This was the nation’s first revolving fund loan to address acid mine drainage.

The EPA revolving fund program is an innovative method of financing environmental projects. EPA provides a grant to each state, and states use the funds to provide low-interest loans for water quality projects. These projects support the Clean Water Act by protecting environmental health and water quality. In Pennsylvania, the program is managed by PENNVEST in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.