COAL Act of 2025

The COAL Act of 2025 would direct the Bureau of Land Management to expedite the processing of applications to lease federal coal reserves for mining development. If an environmental review has already begun for a pending application, the bill would require the BLM to complete the environmental assessment, finalize the lease value, take necessary intermediate steps, and grant the lease application. The bill would also require the BLM to issue any additional approvals needed for mining to begin on previously awarded coal leases.

Additionally, the bill would nullify a Department of the Interior order that currently pauses most new federal coal leases while the government conducts a comprehensive review of the federal coal program. If enacted, this legislation would likely increase the pace of federal coal lease approvals and expand coal mining on public lands. The bill is currently in committee and has not yet been voted on by the full House.