Fairness, Accountability, and Certainty for Taxpayers in Coal Leasing Act
This bill establishes a deadline for the Department of the Interior to complete a comprehensive review of the federal coal leasing program. The review, in the form of a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement, is designed to ensure that the federal coal program is properly structured to provide a fair return to taxpayers and to reflect its impacts on the environment, while continuing to help meet energy needs.
In addition, Interior shall reestablish the Royalty Policy Committee to ensure consultation among state, tribal, environmental, energy, and federal stakeholders. The committee must provide advice to Interior on the management of federal and Indian mineral leases and shall be composed of federal and non-federal members.
The bill also requires Interior to authorize earlier emergency coal leasing than is currently authorized under federal regulations.