Whitley Co. getting $9,079 refund from mining fees

Gov. Matt Bevin announced Friday that fiscal courts in 33 counties will receive refunds totaling $179,900 from mining permit and acreage fees, including Whitley, Knox, Laurel, Bell and McCreary counties.

The Department for Natural Resources collects mining permit and acreage fees and returns a portion of the fees to coal-producing counties for projects that the fiscal courts deem beneficial to their communities.

Whitley County will receive $9,079.17. Whitley County Projects Director Amber Owens said that the money would go into the county’s road fund.

Knox County will receive $10,112.50, Bell County $9,950, Laurel County $375, and McCreary County $250.

“Kentucky is a coal state,” said Gov. Bevin. “This administration is committed to partnering with and supporting our coal communities and miners. These funds will directly benefit our coal-producing counties. We appreciate these counties and their hard-working miners for their efforts and look forward to continuing our work together as we fight to protect and strengthen the Commonwealth’s coal industry.”

Refunds range from $62.50 to $39,947.92.

The Department for Natural Resources is an agency of the Energy and Environment Cabinet.