U.S. coal production has fallen by more than 50% since its peak in 2008, largely in response to the rise of fracking and the resulting plunge in natural gas prices. Production of coal on federal lands has similarly declined, but hundreds of millions of tons of coal are still mined each year.

For decades, the federal coal program has been marred by systemic flaws, including leasing, royalty rates, valuation, and bonding requirements. These flaws have shortchanged taxpayers, failing to secure a fair return for publicly owned coal resources.

The federal coal program must be overhauled to ensure taxpayers receive fair market value for coal extraction, are protected from costly mine cleanup liabilities at abandoned sites, and are not left with the liabilities from increased pollution.

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