The U.S. Department of the Interior has filed a Notice of Intent to Conduct a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) to determine whether the federal government's movement away from coal actually will benefit the environment and lead to economical alternatives that can satisfy the nation's rising energy needs.
The PEIS will allow ratepayers to submit their input through six public meetings.
“We have an obligation to all Americans, as well as future generations, to ensure coal resources we manage are administered in a responsible way,” Bureau of Land Management Director Neil Kornze said. “As we undertake this review, we look forward to hearing from the public on a wide range of issues, including how, when and where to lease federal coal, how to account for the environmental and public health impacts of federal coal production and how to ensure that American taxpayers earn a fair return for the use of their public resources, including whether current royalty rates should be adjusted.”
The Government Accountability Office, the Interior Department's Office of Inspector General and Congress previously have voiced concerns about the federal coal program, which would drastically change fossil-fuel usage and require cleaner-energy production.
“Coal will continue to be an important domestic energy source in the years ahead, and we are undertaking this effort with full consideration of the importance of maintaining reliable and affordable energy for American families and businesses," Kornze said. "But we haven’t undertaken a comprehensive evaluation of the federal coal program in more than 30 years. It’s time for a top-to-bottom review."
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