⛏️BLM Intent to Amend Resource Management Plan for Buffalo Field Office
In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Wyoming State Director intends to prepare a resource management plan (RMP) amendment with an associated environmental assessment (EA) for the Buffalo Field Office. This notice announces the beginning of the scoping period to solicit public comments, identify issues, provide the planning criteria for public review, and solicit coal resource and development potential data.
Learn More⛏️Notice of Intent to Amend Coal Resource Management Plan in Montana
In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Montana/ Dakotas State Director intends to prepare a resource management plan (RMP) amendment with an associated environmental assessment (EA) for the Miles City Field Office. This notice announces the beginning of the scoping period to solicit public comments, identify issues, provide the planning criteria for public review, and solicit coal resource and development potential data.
Learn More🔦Proposed Rule to Remove Flame Safety Lamps from Coal Mine Regulations
MSHA is proposing to revise 30 CFR part 75 by removing flame safety lamps from the list of permissible electric face equipment that can be operated in underground coal mines. This revision would maintain the same level of protection for miners because it removes outdated technology that is no longer used in underground coal mines.
Learn More⚒️MSHA Proposes Removal of Outdated Trolley Safety Regulations
MSHA is proposing to remove and revise provisions for metal and nonmental (MNM) mines and coal mines regarding the use of trolleys for transportation of mined ore, coal, material, and personnel. Trolleys are an outdated technology that have been replaced by more efficient belt conveyor haulage systems for transporting mined ore and coal. Diesel and battery-operated mobile equipment are now used to transport personnel and equipment. Trolleys are no longer used in MNM or coal mines and there is no anticipated future use of this legacy equipment in MNM and coal mines.
Learn More⚒️Regulatory Proposal for Conveyor Belt Approval in Underground Mines
MSHA is proposing to revise 30 CFR part 75 by removing outdated requirements for the approval process for conveyor belts used in underground coal mines. These revisions would streamline the current requirements for underground coal operators while maintaining the same level of protections for miners who work with such equipment.
Learn More💡Proposed MSHA Rule on Permissible Lamps in Coal Mines
MSHA is proposing to revise 30 CFR part 75 by removing duplicative requirements for electric cap lamps and other electric lamps in underground coal mines. These changes would clarify the permissibility requirements for electric cap lamps and other lamps while maintaining safety protections for miners using such equipment.
Learn More⛏️Proposed Rule to Revise Diesel Emission Limits in Underground Coal Mines
MSHA is proposing to revise 30 CFR part 72 by removing outdated requirements for diesel particulate matter (DPM) emission limits for permissible diesel-powered equipment and non-permissible heavy-duty diesel-powered equipment operated in underground coal mines. These revisions would streamline the current requirements for underground coal mine operators while maintaining the same level of protections for miners who work with such equipment.
Learn More🏗️MSHA Proposes Changes to Ventilation Plan Approval Criteria
MSHA proposes to revise requirements for the contents in mine ventilation plans to eliminate the authority given to the District Manager to require additional provisions. The current standard may violate statutory authority; the Appointments Clause, by vesting significant regulatory authority in District Managers; and the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), by skipping notice and comment.
Learn More💰Proposed Repeal of Emission Standards for Coal and Oil Utilities
In this action, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to repeal specific amendments to the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for Coal- and Oil-Fired Electric Utility Steam Generating Units (EGUs), commonly referred to as the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS), that were promulgated on May 7, 2024. The amendments that the EPA is proposing to repeal include the revised filterable particulate matter (fPM) emission standard, which serves as a surrogate for non-mercury hazardous air pollutant (HAP) metals for existing coal-fired EGUs; the revised fPM emission standard compliance demonstration requirements; and the revised mercury (Hg) emission standard for lignite-fired EGUs.
Learn More⛏️Final Environmental Impact Statement for Bull Mountains Mine Approved
The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) is publishing this notice to announce that it has prepared a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and Record of Decision (ROD) for Signal Peak Energy's (SPE) Federal Mining Plan Modification Amendment 3 for Federal Lease MTM-97988 (the Project). OSMRE prepared this FEIS to address the deficiencies identified in the October 14, 2022, order from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, regarding OSMRE's 2018 Environmental Assessment (EA).
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