Four AGs Filed Comments Criticizing BLM’s Failure to Complete Full NEPA Review of Federal Coal Leasing Program

California Attorney General Xavier Becerra led a coalition of four attorneys general in submitting a comment letter to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) condemning the bureau’s draft environmental assessment of the federal coal leasing program. The attorneys general noted that the environmental assessment violates a court order requiring BLM to complete its “hard look” requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act prior to lifting an Obama-era moratorium on new coal leasing on federal lands. The AGs noted that the federal coal leasing program has a significant impact on the environment and requires the in-depth analysis of a draft environmental impact statement, as well as a full notice-and-comment period as required by the Administrative Procedure Act.

• Documents: CommentsCA Press Release
• Document Type: Comment Letters Press Releases/Statements
• States: California New Mexico New York Oregon
• Agencies: Bureau of Land Management Department of the Interior
• Issues: Clean Air & Climate Climate Coal Cross-Cutting & Administrative Fossil Fuels Greenhouse Gas Emissions National Environmental Policy Act Public Health Public Lands Public Lands & Wildlife Public Lands Leasing
• Era: Trump Administration
• Action Type: Rulemaking & Other Federal Administrative Proceedings