HR 280
COAL Act of 2025
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Bill overview
The Combating Obstruction Against Leasing Act of 2025 (COAL Act) requires the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to expedite the processing of applications to lease federal coal mineral estates. Specifically, it mandates the BLM to publish draft environmental assessments, finalize fair market values, and take steps to grant pending applications, effectively reversing a previous policy that had placed a hold on new federal coal leases. The bill also requires the granting of additional approvals for previously awarded leases to allow mining to commence.
Key provisions
- The BLM must publish draft environmental assessments for pending coal lease applications.
- The BLM must finalize the fair market value of coal tracts for lease applications.
- The BLM must take all necessary steps to grant pending coal lease applications.
- The bill requires approval for previously awarded coal leases to allow mining to commence.
- Secretarial Order 3338, which had placed a hold on new federal coal leases, is nullified.
- Defines ‘coal lease’ and ‘qualified application’ for the purposes of the bill.
- Specifies that actions must be taken ‘as soon as practicable’ after the bill’s enactment.
- Addresses both pending and previously awarded coal leases.
Who is affected
- Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
- Coal Mining Industry
- Federal Government
- Landowners (potential)
- Environmental Groups
Notable changes
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Harriet M. [R-WY-At Large] Hageman
Cosponsors
Nicholas J. [R-AK-At Large] Begich
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119th CONGRESS — 1st Session
H. R. 280
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
A BILL
To require the Secretary of the Interior to take certain actions with respect to certain qualified coal applications, and for other purposes.
This Act may be cited as the Combating Obstruction Against Leasing Act of 2025 COAL Act of 2025
or the
.
with respect to each qualified application—
Notwithstanding any judicial decision to the contrary or a departmental review of the Federal coal leasing program, Secretarial Order 3338, issued by the Secretary of the Interior on January 15, 2016, shall have no force or effect.