Coal Permitting

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While no countries can rival the U.S. when it comes to an abundance of coal resources, the current permitting process discourages investment and jobs creation and makes U.S. energy less affordable and less secure.

Actions by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2009-12 to retroactively revoke permits approved by the states and the Army Corps of Engineers under a flawed interpretation of Section 404 of the Clean Water Act added uncertainty and limited opportunities for job creation.

NMA successfully challenged EPA's obstruction of coal mining permitting. EPA has appealed the court's ruling. You will find all the documentation of the case here NMA v. Jackson Documents.

The Office of Surface Mining and Reclamation Enforcement (OSM) at the Department of the Interior has proposed a "stream protection rule" that represents a sweeping change to coal mining regulations under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act. You will find all the documentation on the proposed rule here Stream Protection Rule.

Did you know?

  • The U.S. produces about 1 billion tons of coal annually.
  • The U.S. has nearly 261 billion tons of recoverable coal reserves, according to the EIA - that's a 235-year supply at current rates of use.
  • Nearly half of U.S. electricity is generated from coal.
  • Each person in the U.S. uses 3.4 tons of coal annually.
© 2013, National Mining Association