U.S. to review fees on new coal leases
WASHINGTON – The Obama administration will announce a moratorium Friday on any major new coal leases on federal lands until it completes a comprehensive review of whether the fees charged to mining companies provide a fair return to taxpayers.
An administration official says companies will continue to mine the large amount of coal reserves already under lease. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the moratorium in advance of the announcement.
President Barack Obama said during the State of the Union address that he would push to change the way the government manages its oil and coal resources.
Government auditors have questioned whether the 12.5 percent royalty rate for coal is the right rate.
The impact of the moratorium is unclear given the declining domestic demand for coal.
Turkey hits targets held by Islamic State
ANKARA, Turkey – Turkish tanks and artillery attacked the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria in retaliation for the suicide bombing in Istanbul that killed 10 tourists, Turkey’s prime minister said Thursday the country’s first significant strike against the Islamic extremists in months.
Turkey agreed last year to take on a larger role in the fight against IS amid two major attacks that left 135 people dead. But critics contend the country has shown only limited engagement, striking only when attacked and focusing instead on quelling Kurdish rebels.
Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said some 200 extremists had been killed over the past 48 hours in Turkey’s offensive against IS along the Syria-Turkish border and near a Turkish camp in northern Iraq.
Associated Press
