Federal Coal Leasing

The Department of the Interior has taken various steps toward implementing the new Federal Coal Management Program, the most significant step being the issuance of final regulations on coal and land use planning. Workshops are being conducted to acquaint elected officials, the coal industry, and the public with details of the new program. Studies are also being conducted to look into problems with development and production, and the application and impact of unsuitability criteria and coal mapping programs. Under the new regulations, the Department of Energy is responsible for developing regional production goals and Interior is responsible for establishing leasing targets to meet those goals. The Bureau of Land Management is supposed to halt, suspend, or condition further consideration of coal development on land that has reached its "impact threshold" which may be provided for in the land use plan. The Coal Resources Occurrence/Coal Development Potential maps which classify coal lands into three groups of development potential are a step in the right direction. However, there is concern whether the data collected will be used properly and that the maps being used presently are outdated. Since the Federal Government owns a substantial share of the Nation's coal reserves, Federal coal leasing policy can play a significant role meeting the Nations's energy, economic, and security needs.