The American Coal Council (ACC) has submitted comments to the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Land Management regarding changes being considered to the federal coal leasing program. Coal mined on federal coal lands accounts for about 40% of U.S. coal production and is a large part of the coal supplied to the power sector for electricity generation, so this is an important issue for our members.

ACC’s comments address our concerns about reforms of the federal coal program that would have detrimental economic consequences for coal producers, the coal supply chain, states and local communities, and the ultimate American consumer and taxpayer. We oppose any such reforms, including those that would limit access to coal reserves and delay the permitting process, and that would unnecessarily or inappropriately change environmental requirements.

ACC urges the Interior Department-Bureau of Land Management to fulfill their obligations under the Mineral Leasing Act to promote mining of coal and provide for the maximum economic recovery for coal mined on federal lands. At the very least, they should continue the current federal coal leasing program without any modifications.

ACC members and those involved in the coal industry are welcome to access these comments and ACC’s other regulatory filings via the Issues and Advocacy section of our website.