Surface Mining Office Hikes Penalties for Inflation

2025-21443 — Rescission of Fee Rates

The Office of Surface Mining is officially wiping away old coal fee rates that covered 2012 to 2021 because they’re outdated. New fee rates have been in place since October 1, 2021, and this rule makes it official starting January 27, 2026—unless folks speak up by December 29, 2025. This change mainly affects coal producers and keeps the fee system fresh and fair for years to come.

2026-10722 — Montana Regulatory Program

Montana’s mining rules just got an upgrade! Starting June 29, 2026, mining companies can now define “material damage” more clearly and even submit their own water impact info if the state or feds can’t provide it. This change helps miners and regulators work smarter, keeping Montana’s land and water safer without slowing down permits or adding big costs.

2026-10202 — Kentucky Regulatory Program

Kentucky’s surface mining rules just got a fresh update! The state fixed some old rules, removed temporary ones, and cleaned up wording to keep things clear and smooth. These changes kick in on June 22, 2026, affecting coal mining companies and regulators, but won’t cost anyone extra.

2026-06892 — Wyoming Regulatory Program

Wyoming wants to update its coal mining rules to make it easier to adjust reclamation bond estimates without treating them as bond release requests. This change affects coal companies and regulators by clarifying how bonds are handled, with no new costs expected. You can share your thoughts by May 11, 2026, and there might be a public hearing on May 4 if enough people ask for it.

2026-06197 — Backfilling and Grading

The Office of Surface Mining is officially removing an old rule about how quickly mining sites must be backfilled and graded, a rule that’s been on the books but never really used since 1992. After checking public feedback, they found no big issues and confirmed the rule change will take effect on March 30, 2026. This update affects mining companies by giving them clearer, simpler guidelines without extra deadlines or costs.

2025-21791 — West Virginia Regulatory Program

The Office of Surface Mining has approved some updates to West Virginia’s rules for coal mining permits, focusing on bonding, topsoil care, and land cleanup. These changes affect mining companies renewing permits or managing inactive sites and start on January 2, 2026. The updates aim to keep mining safer and cleaner without adding big costs or delays.

Previous: 2025-10061 — Airworthiness Directives; the Boeing Company Airplanes

The FAA is making sure certain Boeing 787 airplanes are super safe by checking if some seat parts were made with the wrong metal. If they find a problem, they’ll fix it to keep everyone safe. Airlines need to inspect these parts soon, which might cost some time and money but keeps flights safe and sound.

Next: 2025-10069 — Fisheries Off West Coast States; Coastal Pelagic Species Fisheries; Amendment 23 to the Coastal Pelagic Species Fishery Management Plan

Fishermen and coastal communities along the West Coast will see new rules to help rebuild the northern Pacific sardine population. Starting May 30, 2025, Amendment 23 changes how the sardine fishery is managed to protect this important fish and keep the ocean healthy. These updates aim to balance fishing with conservation, ensuring a brighter future for both fish and fishers.