Pennsylvania Coal Mining Gets Tighter Federal Pollution and Penalty Rules
Published Date: 6/27/2025
Rule
Summary
The Office of Surface Mining is updating Pennsylvania’s coal mining rules to fix past issues and meet new federal requirements. These changes affect coal miners and regulators by tightening water pollution limits, clarifying mining activity rules, and adjusting penalties. The updates aim to keep mining safe and fair, with no big cost surprises, and they’re rolling out soon.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.
Tighter Mine Water Limits
The rule updates Pennsylvania’s program to include effluent limitations for bituminous underground coal mines. If you operate a bituminous underground coal mine, these limits change how much pollution your mine can discharge and may require changes to your water controls or treatment.
Clarified Surface Mining Activities
The amendment clarifies the definition of “Surface Mining Activities” under Pennsylvania’s program. If you run mining operations, the clarified definition changes which activities are covered by the mining rules and could affect what actions need permits or controls.
Adjusted Civil Penalties
The amendment revises civil penalties in Pennsylvania’s coal mining program. If you are an operator, the changes alter the penalties that regulators can assess for violations of mining rules.
Temporary Cessation Rule Changes
The state program revisions include changes related to temporary cessation of mining operations. If you temporarily stop mining, these changes affect how your pause is treated under permits and regulatory obligations.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
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The Office of Surface Mining is officially wiping away old coal fee rates that covered 2012 to 2021 because they’re outdated.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.
2026-17821, Montana Regulatory Program
The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) published a document in the Federal Register on August 21, 2026, not approving, with one exception, an amendment to the Montana regulatory program under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA). OSM made an error in the document by adding an entry to 30 CFR 926.12 at paragraph (c), a paragraph that already existed. This document corrects the final regulation.
2026-17333, Montana Regulatory Program
We, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM), are denying an amendment to the Montana regulatory program under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA). Montana submitted this proposed amendment to OSM on its own initiative in response to a State law passed by the Montana Legislature (Senate Bill (SB) 392). The proposed amendment would have added a provision requiring equal application of court costs to the prevailing party in contested case proceedings by a court or administrative agency that issues a decision. The proposal would have also amended the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to refer to the proposed equal application of court costs rule. Finally, SB 392 includes contingencies that apply to the proposed amendment but are not codified into the MCA: codification instructions, a severability clause, an effective date clause, and an applicability statement.
2026-17055, Montana Regulatory Program
The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) is not approving, with one exception, an amendment to the Montana regulatory program under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act). The Montana legislature, specifically Montana House Bill 328, proposes to add a definition of affected drainage basin to the Montana Code Annotated (MCA). Additionally, House Bill 328 proposes changes to the Montana Code Annotated, pertaining to bond release application requirements.
2026-16318, North Dakota Regulatory Program
North Dakota is updating its rules for surface mining to make things clearer and more efficient. These changes include new timelines for permits, creating a new Environmental Quality department, and shifting some duties to a new Water Resources department. The updates take effect on September 10, 2026, and affect anyone involved in mining permits and environmental oversight in the state.
2026-16136, Ohio Regulatory Program
The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM), is approving, in part, two amendments to the Ohio regulatory program (the Ohio program) under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act). As proposed by Ohio, the amendment involves statutory and regulatory changes to its bonding program (i.e., revising Ohio's alternative bonding system and providing the option for an applicant to post full-cost performance securities) and also includes statutory and regulatory changes pertaining to other subjects, such as abandoned mine land program funding, permitting standards, valid existing rights, remining, blasting, and topsoil handling. Ohio submitted this amendment, in part, to satisfy a program condition related to bonding inadequacies. We are removing this program condition.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-11902, Safety Zone; Lake Erie, Lakewood, OH
On July 4, 2025, the Coast Guard is setting up a temporary safety zone around the Solstice Steps in Lakewood, OH, to keep everyone safe during the Independence Day fireworks on Lake Erie. Boats and people can’t enter this 450-foot area unless they get special permission. This means boaters need to plan ahead to avoid fines or delays during the celebration.
Next: 2025-11922, Safety Zones; Annual Fireworks Displays Within the Captain of the Port, Puget Sound Area of Responsibility
The Coast Guard is stepping up to keep everyone safe during annual fireworks shows in Puget Sound by enforcing special safety zones on the water. If you're boating in these areas during the events, you’ll need to follow the Coast Guard’s instructions to avoid trouble. This helps protect lives without changing costs or schedules for the fireworks.