The guidelines governing coal mining on public lands haven’t been reviewed in over a generation, and coal executives are taking advantage of outdated rules at the expense of westerners. In Colorado, coal companies have been gaming the system to buy coal for $0.23 a ton. That’s over 17 tons of coal for the price of a Big Mac.
While coal CEOs get bigger bonuses, western communities face destroyed landscapes, air and water pollution, climate pollution, and over $28 billion in lost revenues that could be used to improve our schools and roads.
Coloradans aren’t getting a fair share from the resources mined on public lands. It’s time to modernize this program.
For the first time in nearly 30 years, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has committed to fixing the broken coal program. The BLM has asked for feedback and they need to hear from you.
Western economies and energy development have entered the 21st century, but our federal coal guidelines haven’t kept up. We need modern standards that reduce pollution, address climate change, deliver a fair return to taxpayers and local governments, and ensure mine cleanup that safeguards local communities.
Tell the BLM to put westerners first.
I’m writing to voice my support for the BLM reviewing the federal coal program. The nation’s coal program should be based on the American people’s interests, not the special interest of coal companies. It’s time to update the program to ensure a fair return to the American public and balanced protections for air, land and water resources, as well as the global climate.
Forty percent of all coal produced in the U.S., about 400 million tons per year, comes from federal public lands – contributing to 13% of total climate emissions in the United States. Now is the time for the Bureau of Land Management to address the impacts of mining and burning coal on our climate, natural resources and Western quality of life.
Specifically, reform of the federal coal program should:
Disclose the impacts of mining and burning publicly-owned coal on the climate and create a national plan for federal coal leasing that meets our climate emission reduction targets.
Close loopholes, including ending royalty rate reductions, and ensure prices paid to use federal coal are fair and reflect climate, environmental and social costs.
Ensure coal companies with current leases fully comply with all environmental standards, including full and concurrent reclamation compliance, before they are allowed to lease again.
[Your comment will go here]
Thank you for working to bring the outdated federal coal program into the 21st century. It is past time to ensure that America’s public lands, communities and climate are not negatively impacted by coal development.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
