"Top Interior Department officials got an earful in their first of five listening sessions on the future of the federal coal program, which produces about 40 percent of our nation’s coal.

Most of the dozens of people who spoke at the Washington, D.C. event called on Interior to raise the royalty rates it charges so that taxpayers get a better return on coal. Many speakers went further, advocating that royalties should reflect the cost to society of climate change, since burning coal for electricity is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions.

The Sierra Club’s Marni Salmon said that a true accounting of the costs of climate change would show that coal is too expensive to use."

Elizabeth Shogren reports for High Country News July 30, 2015. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"Wyden Bill Would End Royalty Loophole for Coal Companies" (Salem Statesman Journal) [3]

"Jewell Vows More Competition, Transparency in Leasing" (E&E News PM) [4]

"The Case for Reforming the Federal Coal Program" (The Hill) [5]