Coal leasing moratorium on federal lands lifted by Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

A legal perspective on a crucial, industry-defining regulatory change for the entire United States. By John L. Watson In an unpublished opinion filed on February 21, 2024, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit lifted the moratorium on leasing coal on federal lands established in an August 2022 order issued by Chief District Court Judge Brian Morris in…

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New BLM rule ‘damages American energy security’: NMA

The National Mining Association (NMA) issued the following statement from Rich Nolan, NMA president and CEO, on the U.S. Bureau of Land Management’s decision to ban new coal leasing in the Powder River Basin, which is located in northeast Wyoming and southeast Montana.. “At a time of deteriorating grid reliability, soaring electricity demand and ongoing concern about global energy shocks,…

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U.S. thermal coal exports highest in five years

According to data from ship-tracking firm Kpler, the United States exported more than 32.5 million metric tons of thermal coal in 2023, reported Reuters. The total volumes were the highest since 2018, and were worth more than $5 billion.  Coal miners and trading firms have stepped up sales of U.S. coal to international buyers as domestic use of the product…

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Majority of U.S.-produced met coal now MCPA represented

The Metallurgical Coal Producers Association (MCPA) has revealed that a majority of the nation’s metallurgical coal produced annually – about 55% – is now represented by the group. While MCPA is a regional association representing Appalachian producers, coal tonnage by its members is all mined within a four-state region: Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. The MCPA recently welcomed Blackhawk…

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