COAL Act of 2025
- Sponsor
- Sen. Lummis, Cynthia M. [R-WY]
- Committees
- Energy and Natural Resources Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Oct 23, 2025
Bottom line
The COAL Act of 2025 compels the Department of the Interior to rapidly approve existing federal coal lease applications and removes the federal moratorium on new coal leasing, aiming to boost domestic coal production.
What it actually does
This bill mandates the Secretary of the Interior to expedite and grant all pending qualified coal lease applications for which environmental review has commenced. It also requires the Secretary to grant any additional approvals needed for mining activities to begin on previously awarded coal leases. Furthermore, the bill explicitly nullifies Secretarial Order 3338, which imposed a federal moratorium on new coal leasing.
Proponents argue
Proponents argue that this bill is essential for enhancing American energy independence, supporting jobs in coal-producing regions, and utilizing abundant domestic resources. They contend that it removes unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles and executive overreach that have stifled economic growth and reliable energy production.
Opponents contend
Opponents contend that this bill undermines critical environmental protections, accelerates climate change by promoting fossil fuel extraction, and prioritizes corporate interests over public health and a transition to clean energy. They argue that expediting approvals without thorough review could lead to significant environmental damage.
The bill is very short and clearly written, making it highly accessible for any reader to understand its core provisions and implications within a few minutes.
Section 1
Short Title
This section establishes the official short title of the Act as the "Combating Obstruction Against Leasing Act of 2025" or the "COAL Act of 2025." This provides a concise and memorable name for the legislation, clearly indicating its purpose and focus on coal leasing.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that the short title clearly communicates the bill's intent to remove barriers to coal leasing, making its purpose immediately understandable to the public and stakeholders.
Critics contend
Critics might argue that the title is overtly political and frames the issue in a biased manner, suggesting that environmental regulations are merely 'obstruction' rather than necessary protections.
Tradeoffs
The chosen title is a direct statement of the bill's policy stance, which can be seen as either clear communication or a politically charged framing, depending on one's perspective on coal leasing.
Section 2(a)
Definitions of 'Coal Lease' and 'Qualified Application'
This section defines key terms used throughout the bill. A "coal lease" refers to a lease issued by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) using a specific form. A "qualified application" is defined as any application for a coal lease that was pending as of the bill's enactment date, submitted under the BLM's lease by application program, and for which the environmental review process under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) had already begun by that date.
Section 2(b)(1)
Mandatory Granting of Qualified Coal Applications
This provision mandates that the Secretary of the Interior, as soon as practicable after the bill's enactment, must take all necessary steps to grant each qualified coal application. This includes publishing draft environmental assessments if not already done, finalizing the fair market value of the coal tract, taking all intermediate actions, and ultimately granting the application. The intent is to accelerate the approval process for these specific applications.
Section 2(b)(2)
Mandatory Approvals for Previously Awarded Coal Leases
This provision requires the Secretary of the Interior to grant any additional approvals from the Department of the Interior or its sub-agencies that are necessary for mining activities to commence on coal leases that have already been awarded. This aims to remove any remaining administrative hurdles preventing existing leaseholders from beginning their mining operations.
Section 3
Nullification of Federal Coal Moratorium (Secretarial Order 3338)
This section explicitly states that Secretarial Order 3338, which was issued by the Secretary of the Interior on January 15, 2016, and imposed a moratorium on federal coal leasing, "shall have no force or effect." This effectively repeals the moratorium, allowing the Bureau of Land Management to resume processing and issuing new federal coal leases beyond the "qualified applications" covered in Section 2.