In yesterday’s hearing, some on the House Natural Resources Committee defended the government’s broken system for overseeing coal production, valuation, and royalties—even when that system means millions of lost dollars for American taxpayers.
Fortunately, there are alternatives:
First, there’s the former director of the Montana Department of Revenue, Dan Bucks. Bucks underscored in the hearing that the proposed ONRR rule—which would change the point at which coal is valued to ensure that taxpayers are getting realistic royalties from coal mined on public lands—is the least that can be done to ensure taxpayers a fair share.
In addition, there are a few members of the House and Senate who want to stand up for American taxpayers, and have introduced legislation seeking to reform these loopholes. In fact, in yesterday’s hearing, Rep. Cartwright introduced his own bill to combat unfair coal valuation practices. Here’s what you should know:
- In the House, Rep. Cartwright recently introduced a bill that would help struggling coal communities by funding $100 million towards job transition programs and other forms of economic resilience by closing the federal coal royalty loophole.
- In the Senate, Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee member Sen. Wyden, along with New Mexico Sen. Udall, recently introduced a bill to ensure accurate valuation of coal. Said Sen. Wyden about the bill, “Instead of subsidizing private coal companies, it’s time to put this money back where it belongs—into rural communities and the pockets of taxpayers.”
- Also in the Senate, eight senators led by Energy and Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Sen. Cantwell circulated a letter in November urging Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell to “reform the federal coal program and end coal producers’ fleecing of the American public.”
It’s important that some of our elected officials are fighting on behalf of taxpayers—but the way the majority is pushing for coal companies to win out above all else, it’s not enough. The ONRR rule is needed to ensure that taxpayers’ interests aren’t forgotten in the frenzy of Congress.
If you missed yesterday’s hearing, you can watch the whole thing here.