Log In


Reset Password
Opinion Editorial Cartoons Op-Ed Editorials Letters to the Editor

Review of federal coal program overdue

I am encouraged by the scheduling of listening sessions across the American West to receive input on the Obama administration’s review of its coal-leasing program on America’s public lands. This review is a long-overdue move to serve the interests of the environment, of our new energy economy and of the real investors in our public lands – American taxpayers.

When the government last wrote rules for coal mining on public lands, “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” was on the big screen, cars had no airbags, a gallon of gas cost 97 cents and smoking was allowed on airplanes.

As it stands now, the federal coal-leasing program is hidden from public view and lacks an open, competitive process that would be required by investors in any other system and would secure a fair return for taxpayers. Moreover, some companies get out of paying their royalties.

Here’s how it works: A company sells coal to its own affiliate for much less than the coal is worth, lowering the amount of royalties it’s required to pay to the federal government. Then, the affiliate company turns around and sells the coal at market value, enjoying the revenues without the burden of paying taxpayers their fair share. So it really is time to think about how to overhaul this broken program.

But perhaps even more importantly, the department will also review all of the health and environmental effects of coal leasing on federal lands. No doubt they will consider what the true costs of coal are and propose rules to account for those costs. This will not only mean further protections for our environment, it will also likely help carbon-free energy technologies – in the electricity and transportation sectors – to compete in the economy on a level playing field.

Finally, the federal government is refusing to perpetuate a system that has turned into a bad deal for American taxpayers, the environment and our economy. And I applaud the efforts of the administration to provide forums for the public to share their views on how best to reform the program.

Carol Realini

Durango



Reader Comments