U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) has introduced the Combating Obstruction Against Leasing (COAL) Act in the Senate, with support from Senator John Barrasso (R-WY). The legislation aims to formalize a previous executive order from President Trump by instructing the Secretary of the Interior to speed up coal leasing processes and remove administrative delays for qualified coal lease applications. This move coincides with National Coal Week, an initiative led by Lummis to recognize the contributions of the coal industry.
“During National Coal Week, we are recognizing the tireless industry that powers our lives, and that starts with ensuring our coal producers can get projects moving quickly,” said Lummis. “The COAL Act would officially end the Biden and Obama administrations’ relentless war on coal and restore Wyoming coal as a cornerstone of America’s energy dominance. It’s a new day in the United States, and we must ensure disastrous anti-coal, anti-Wyoming policies designed to destroy coal mining in America are permanently relegated to the ash heap of history where they belong. I applaud President Trump and Secretary Burgum for recognizing coal’s vital role in keeping America’s lights on.”
Senator Barrasso added, “Coal is one of the most reliable and affordable sources of baseload power in the country. We need to ensure we have consistent and predictable access to our federal coal resources. Senator Lummis’ COAL Act will prevent future administrations from playing politics and blocking production of this vital energy resource.”
A companion bill was introduced in January 2025 in the House of Representatives by Representative Harriett Hageman (R-WY).
The COAL Act requires the Department of the Interior to publish environmental assessments and implementing regulations for pending applications, finalize fair market valuations for coal tracts, complete all steps necessary for lease approval, and issue final approvals without unnecessary delay. Additionally, it would nullify Secretarial Order 3338 from 2016, which placed a moratorium on new federal coal leases.
For further information about National Coal Week or to read the full bill text, readers can visit additional resources online.
