Federal Coal Leasing and Utilization Act of 1986

Summary

Federal Coal Leasing and Utilization Act of 1986 - Title I: Administration of the Federal Coal Leasing Program - Amends the Mineral Lands Leasing Act to prohibit the issuance (or assignment) of competitive coal deposit leases if the applicant holds coal deposit leases issued prior to August 4, 1976, which have not been producing coal in commercial quantities for a period of ten years. Exempts from such prohibition leaseholders who: (1) agree to relinquish such non-productive coal leases; (2) pay an additional rental on non-productive coal leases issued before August 4, 1976; or (3) have made a substantial investment in such leases. Prohibits the disclosure of coal-tract value data by Department of the Interior personnel to anyone not associated with the Department. Imposes criminal penalties for disclosure violations. Repeals the requirement that an approved mining plan must include production and operation standards which assure that the entire unit reserves will be mined within 40 years. Provides for automatic royalty readjustments at specified percentages for surface-mined coal and for coal recovered by underground mining operations under leases issued before August 4, 1976. Terminates at the end of ten years and 15 years 20-year leases that are not producing coal in commercial quantities unless the tenth or fifteenth lease year is extended through payment of advance royalties. Sets guidelines for the assessment of such royalties. Provides that such advance royalty payments constitute compliance with this Act's diligent operation requirements. Requires the Comptroller General to monitor coal leasing and production on lands subject to this Act for five years after the date of enactment of this Act. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to promulgate regulations that require a coal lease transferor to submit financial documentation describing the value paid or promised for a coal lease transfer. Prohibits the Secretary from consenting to the assignment of any coal lease issued prior to August 4, 1976, unless such lease is in compliance with this Act. Sets guidelines for the granting of coal lease relief requests by a lessee. Directs the Secretary to consider the impact that failure to grant such relief would have on the lessee's ability to continue commercial operation or commence production. Sets forth the factors which shall be included in royalty or rental adjustments regarding that portion of a lease from which income is derived from a supply agreement with any nonprofit rural electric cooperative association. Prohibits lease issuance or assignment to a lessee whose eligible leaseholds have not been readjusted in accordance with this Act. Title II: - Identifies conditions under which a common carrier railroad company (or its affiliate) may: (1) hold coal deposit leases; or (2) bid for coal deposit leases adjacent to previously acquired land grants containing coal deposits. Prescribes guidelines under which a railroad lessee of coal deposits situated within its exclusive service area may enter into certain coal transportation contracts. Requires the Secretary to publish in the Federal Register notice of such railroad/lessee's coal transportation contract, including identification of the contracting parties, the affected lease and the lessee. Sets forth procedures under which a coal producer may file a complaint with the Secretary alleging that such coal transportation contract is in violation of law and has prevented such producer from selling its coal to the purchaser in lieu of the coal to be transported under the contract.

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Documents

2 official files

• Reported to Senate with amendment(s)

  summary · EN · 10 September 1986

  Open at official source

• Introduced in Senate

  summary · EN · 8 May 1986

  Open at official source

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