BLM lists projects to be paused by new coal rule, projects subject to exemption

摘要

President Barack Obama's move to halt new coal leases on federal land until climate and tax implications are studied could stop more than 30 projects, but several could get a pass to continue through the pause. The U.S. Department of Interior provided a list of projects that are subject to exceptions to the pause on coal leases including several major existing coal projects seeking expansion. The controversial order announced Jan. 15 may not apply to some large projects such as Peabody Energy Corp.'s recent bid for a lease modification at Foidel Creek, or a modification to the Colowyo mine owned by Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association Inc. also part of a contentious environmental suit. A modification for Arch Coal Inc.'s controversial West Elk mine might also bypass the pause due to how far along they were in the process.