Today, the Department of the Interior (DOI) Secretary Ryan Zinke issued a Secretarial Order to formally end the coal leasing moratorium and reinstate the royalty advisory committee. House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Rob Bishop (R-UT) issued the following statement:

“This moratorium was a hallmark policy of the prior administration to stomp out coal with absolutely no plan to replace our most abundant domestic energy source. In the House, we’ve worked hard to empower states and tribes and promote a diverse energy portfolio. It’s reassuring to now have partners at Interior and the White House working to advance these shared goals.”

Background

On January 15, 2016, the Obama administration announced the coal lease moratorium on Federal lands.

Last Congress, the Committee passed H.R. 5259 (Rep. Ryan Zinke), the “Certainty for States and Tribes Act,” which would reestablish DOI’s Royalty Policy Committee to create a more transparent and cooperative process in royalty management issues.