H.R. 280 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on Natural Resources, Jan 9, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summarySpeeds up federal coal leasing on public land
The bill requires the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to move forward with processing applications to lease coal from federally owned land. If an environmental review has already started for an application, the BLM must complete it, finalize the value of the coal tract, and approve the lease. For coal leases that have already been granted, the bill requires the BLM to issue any remaining approvals needed to start mining. The bill also cancels a Department of the Interior hold on most new federal coal leases that was put in place while the coal program was being reviewed.
How it affects you
Coal mining companies and investors seeking to develop federal coal reserves will see faster approval timelines for their lease applications. People living near coal mining areas on federal lands may see an increase in mining activity. The bill's effects on energy policy, the coal industry, and communities dependent on coal are direct, but how it affects the average person's daily life depends on their location and interests.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Jan 9, 2025)
Combating Obstruction Against Leasing Act of 2025 or the COAL Act of 2025
This bill requires the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to process certain applications to lease coal mineral estates owned by the federal government in order to develop coal.
If the environmental review process under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 has commenced for an application, then the BLM must publish a draft environmental assessment and any applicable implementing regulations, finalize the fair market value of the coal tract for which a lease by application is pending, take all intermediate actions necessary to grant the application, and grant the application.
With respect to previously awarded coal leases, the BLM must grant any additional approvals required for mining activities to commence.
Finally, the bill nullifies the Department of the Interior's Secretarial Order 3338, which placed a hold on most new federal coal leases until the BLM completes a comprehensive review of the federal coal program.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 280
A BILL
COAL Act of 2025
Sponsor: Rep. Harriet M. Hageman (R-WY-At Large) · Introduced Jan 9, 2025 · Energy · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Sep 3, 2025: “Subcommittee Hearings Held”