Old mining cleanup projects no longer need to follow modern rules

The US Interior Department has removed a rule that required older mining cleanup projects to follow current environmental standards. This means that projects funded by money set aside before 2007 can now proceed without meeting today's stricter requirements.

For years, some mining cleanup projects were stuck because they had to meet modern environmental rules, even though they were funded by old money. This change makes it easier to spend those older funds. It allows the government to clean up more sites, even if the work doesn't meet the latest environmental benchmarks.