Rendell said the voter approved Growing Greener II plan provides a total of $625 million for state environmental projects, and yesterday’s commitment was designed to encourage further development of existing resources in abandoned mines.

“Addressing serious environmental problems at minesites and making our communities more liveable - these are priorities we all share,” Rendell said.

“Growing Greener enables Pennsylvanians to take ownership of the environmental challenges in their community and restore the richness of the commonwealth's natural resources.”

Pennsylvania has the largest abandoned mine lands problem in the country, with more than 180,000 acres left over from when mining was largely unregulated prior to 1977.

Environmental Protection secretary Kathleen A. McGinty said re-mining had been a successful, cost-effective means of accomplishing abandoned mine reclamation.

“We need to clean up abandoned mines that pollute the environment and endanger residents,” McGinty said.

“This reclamation work makes our communities more attractive and enhances quality of life.”