OSM Eliminates Coal Regulations – Coal Age

The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) announced the formal rescission of 14 regulations to advance America’s energy independence and economic vitality. The rescinded rules will be officially published in the Federal Register.

The initiative builds on Secretary’s Order 3421, which calls on Interior agencies to review and remove outdated or overly complex rules. It supports President Trump’s Executive Order 14154, which requires agencies to balance the cost of new regulations by cutting old ones that create unnecessary economic burdens.

“This effort embodies our dedication to removing bureaucratic red tape that hinders American innovation and energy production,” said Lanny Erdos, director, OSM. “By rescinding these outdated regulations, we are not only reducing costs and streamlining processes but also reinforcing our commitment to energy independence and national prosperity — all while maintaining the highest standards of environmental stewardship.”

The Department says its continued push to modernize outdated regulations is strengthening America’s energy independence while still protecting the environment in a practical, balanced way.

The rescinded regulations include:

1. 30 CFR 870.13 – Regarding abandoned mine lands fee rates.
2. 30 CFR 872.29 and 872.31 – Regarding abandoned mine lands prior balance funds.
3. 30 CFR 872.30 – Regarding abandoned mine lands prior balance funds.
4. 30 CFR 872.13 – Regarding abandoned mine lands prior balance funds.
5. 30 CFR 885.12 – Regarding language identifying obsolete funds for certified states and tribes.
6. 30 CFR 875.16 – Regarding language identifying obsolete funds to eligible states and tribes each fiscal year.
7. 30 CFR 816.46 & 817.46 – Regarding portions of permanent program performance standards related to siltation structures.
8. 30 CFR 817.121 – Regarding portions of permanent program performance standards regulating subsidence controls for underground mines.
9. 30 CFR 872.27 – Regarding revision of the regulations and removing references to prior balance replacement funds and the phase-in schedule for minimum program make-up fund distributions.
10. 30 CFR 874.11 – Regarding the regulations related to prior balance replacement funds.
11. 30 CFR 872,874, 875, 879, 886, & 887 – Regarding the regulations related to prior balance replacement funds.
12. 30 CFR 700.1 – Regarding obsolete regulations related to the scope of the Federal regulations implementing the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977.
13. 30 CFR 700.11 – Regarding obsolete regulations related to the applicability of the Federal regulations implementing the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977.
14. 30 CFR 816.101 – Regarding backfilling and grading: time and distance requirements.