Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Combating Obstruction Against Leasing Act” or the “COAL Act”.
Combating Obstruction Against Leasing Act
A BILL
To require the Secretary of the Interior to take certain actions with respect to certain qualified coal applications, and for other purposes.
Sec. 2 Leasing for certain qualified coal applications
Definitions— In this section:
Coal lease— The term “coal lease” means a lease entered into by the United States as lessor, through the Bureau of Land Management, and the applicant on Bureau of Land Management Form 3400–012.
Qualified application— The term “qualified application” means any application pending under the lease by application program administered by the Bureau of Land Management pursuant to the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 181 et seq.) and subpart 3425 of title 43, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of the enactment of this Act), for which the environmental review process under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) has commenced.
Mandatory leasing and other required approvals— As soon as practicable after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall promptly—
with respect to each qualified application—
if not previously published for public comment, publish a draft environmental assessment, as required under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and any applicable implementing regulations;
finalize the fair market value of the coal tract for which a lease by application is pending;
take all intermediate actions necessary to grant the qualified application; and
grant the qualified application; and
with respect to previously awarded coal leases, grant any additional approvals of the Department of the Interior or any bureau, agency, or division of the Department of the Interior required for mining activities to commence.
Sec. 3 Future coal leasing
Notwithstanding any judicial decision to the contrary or a departmental review of the Federal coal leasing program, Secretarial Order 3338, issued by the Secretary of the Interior on January 15, 2016, shall have no force or effect.