IEEFA: Review of U.S. coal leasing program misses the point, may slow energy transition

October 1, 2021 (IEEFA) – The United States government should not spend any time reforming the coal leasing process because new coal leases are no longer needed, according to comments submitted to the United States Bureau of Land Management by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis.

“As the owner of the coal reserves, the federal government should focus on identifying and closing coal mines,” said Tom Sanzillo, IEEFA’s director of financial analysis. “The U.S. should finance reclamation and ensure that current lessees, coal employees and host communities are fairly compensated.” 

As the pace of closures quickens, these steps should be viewed as a new set of investments and local-federal partnerships.

Full Comments: General Commentary on the Bureau of Land Management’s Notice of Intent to Conduct a Review of the Federal Coal Leasing Program and to Seek Public Comment: Goals, Scope and Programmatic Options for Consideration

Author Contact

Tom Sanzillo ([email protected]) is IEEFA’s director of financial analysis.

Media Contact

Muhamed Sulejmanagic ([email protected])

About IEEFA: The Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis examines issues related to energy markets, trends and policies. IEEFA’s mission is to accelerate the transition to a diverse, sustainable and profitable energy economy.