Pennsylvania Coal Mining Gets Tighter Federal Pollution and Penalty Rules

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The Office of Surface Mining is officially wiping away old coal fee rates that covered 2012 to 2021 because they’re outdated.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.

2026-06197 — 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.

2025-21782 — West Virginia Regulatory Program

The Office of Surface Mining gave West Virginia’s coal mining rules a thumbs-up with some tweaks! They approved most changes, gave a cautious nod to a few, and said no to one. These updates kick in January 2, 2026, affecting coal miners and regulators, keeping mining safer and cleaner without extra costs.

2025-14720 — Montana Regulatory Program

Montana wants to update its mining rules to let companies use smart predictions and monitoring data when asking for bond releases, and to keep some bond money if certain pollution issues pop up. These changes come after a new state law passed in 2025 and could affect mining companies and the environment. The public can comment or ask for a hearing before the updates take effect.

2025-10064 — Civil Monetary Penalty Inflation Adjustments

The Office of Surface Mining is raising fines for breaking mining rules to keep up with inflation. This means anyone who violates mining laws will face bigger penalties starting soon. These updates make sure the fines stay fair and effective over time.

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.