Gov. Josh Shapiro announced yesterday that the full $2.1 billion in Congressionally appropriated federal funding for Pennsylvania identified in his lawsuit against the Trump Administration is now accessible to the Commonwealth. This included funds to rehabilitate abandoned mines and plug abandoned wells.  

Shapiro had filed a lawsuit on February 13 challenging the constitutionality of the Trump Administration’s actions on federal funding, claiming that state agencies were unable to access $1.2 billion in federal funding, with an additional $900 million requiring an undefined review by federal agencies before it can be drawn down.  

While this is good news, townships should continue to monitor any federal grant or loans that may be expected, particularly before spending township funds if they are expected to be reimbursed by a federal grant. Take the time to review grant agreements and compliance requirements in any federal grant award letters.