Sponsors (2)
The bill speeds and guarantees federal coal leasing decisions to deliver regulatory and near-term economic benefits for the coal industry and some local economies, but does so by weakening environmental review and raising local pollution, climate impacts, and potential taxpayer liabilities.
Energy companies and federal coal lessees can obtain expedited approvals and legally binding certainty so paused or pending projects can resume more quickly, reducing administrative delay for leasing and development.
Federal agencies (BLM) will finalize fair market value determinations for coal leases, giving companies, state and local governments, and taxpayers clearer expectations about lease payments and revenue.
Communities in coal-producing regions may see increased coal production and related job opportunities as projects paused under the 2016 order can proceed.
All Americans face higher greenhouse gas emissions risk because expanded federal coal leasing and faster approvals are likely to increase coal production and associated CO2 emissions, worsening climate impacts over time.
People living near leased public lands (often rural communities) are likely to experience increased local air and water pollution and related health risks if mining activity accelerates.
The bill effectively curtails parts of the federal environmental review and public input process for pending applications, reducing oversight and community participation in decisions that affect local environments and health.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Requires the Interior Department to grant pending coal lease applications with begun NEPA review, finish approvals to allow mining, and voids the 2016 federal coal moratorium order.
Introduced October 23, 2025 by Cynthia M. Lummis · Last progress October 23, 2025
Directs the Department of the Interior to move forward quickly to approve and finalize pending coal lease applications that already have a started NEPA environmental review, and to complete any remaining approvals needed for previously awarded coal leases so mining can begin. It also nullifies a 2016 Interior Department order that had effectively placed a federal coal leasing moratorium. The law forces specific administrative actions: publish any unpublished draft environmental assessments and implementing regulations, establish fair market value for tracts, take all intermediate steps, and grant each qualifying application as soon as practicable after enactment.