The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Secretary recently announced more than $8.2 million in "Growing Greener" funds for abandoned mine reclamation, and oil and gas well plugging projects.

Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Secretary David E. Hess recently announced more than $8.2 million in "Growing Greener" funds for abandoned mine reclamation, and oil and gas well plugging projects in more than 100 communities in 23 counties. In 1999, Gov. Tom Ridge signed Growing Greener into law. The funding will facilitate projects to reclaim more than 500 acres of abandoned mine lands and plug 770 abandoned oil and gas wells.

Hess says, "Gov. Ridge's Growing Greener initiative is helping Pennsylvania clean up mine-scarred lands faster and more efficiently that ever before. Eliminating these hazards not only takes care of environmental problems, but also becomes a source of pride in communities that now no longer have to accept mine acid drainage as something they have to live with."