CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Gov. Matt Mead says he's upset with last week's vote in Congress cutting federal Abandoned Mine Land payments to the state.
Both houses of Congress voted last week to limit all states to $15 million a year of AML funding. That represents a major hit to Wyoming, the nation's largest coal-producing state, which is receiving roughly $150 million under the program this year.

Wyoming has limited need for mine reclamation work. Wyoming drew criticism from other mining states this year when the state Legislature approved $10 million of AML funds to renovate the University of Wyomingbasketball arena.

Mead emphasized that Wyoming has used AML funding to pay for mine reclamation work and air quality monitoring. Members of the state's congressional delegation say they're committed to restoring the funding.

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