Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Fee, 2341-2347 [2022-00513]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
• Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 10 (Friday, January 14, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 2341-2347]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-00513]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement

30 CFR Parts 870 and 872

[Docket ID: OSM 2021-0008; S1D1S SS08011000 SX064A000 221S180110; S2D2S 
SS08011000 SX064A000 22XS501520]
RIN 1029-AC83


Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Fee

AGENCY: Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, Interior.

ACTION: Interim final rule, request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement 
(OSMRE), are revising our regulations for the Abandoned Mine 
Reclamation Fund (AML Fund). This rule revises our regulations to be 
consistent with the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), 
which was signed into law on November 15, 2021, and which included the 
Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Amendments of 2021 (the 2021 
amendments). The rule reflects the extension of our statutory authority 
to collect reclamation fees for an additional thirteen years and to 
reduce the fee rates. In addition, we are revising our rule provisions 
to reflect the statutory extension of the dates when moneys derived 
from these fees will be available to eligible States and Tribes for 
grant distributions.

DATES: Effective January 14, 2022. Comments will be accepted until 
February 14, 2022.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by one of the following methods:
    Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 
instructions for submitting comments to Docket No. OSM-2021-0008. 
Please note that if you are using the Federal eRulemaking Portal, the 
deadline for submitting electronic comments is 11:59 p.m. Eastern 
Standard Time on the comment due date.
    Mail: Address comment to Public Comments Processing, Attn: Docket 
No. OSM-2021-0008; Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and 
Enforcement, 1849 C Street NW, Mail Stop 4558, Washington, DC 20240.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Harry Payne, Office of Surface Mining 
Reclamation and Enforcement, 1849 C Street NW, Mail Stop 4558, 
Washington, DC 20240; Telephone (202) 208-5683. Email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Contents

I. Background
    A. How did the reclamation fee work before the 2021 amendments?
    B. How did the 2021 amendments change the reclamation fee and 
the annual AML grant distributions?
II. Administrative Procedure Act
    A. Why is the rule being published on an interim final basis?
    B. How does the rule operate?
III. Procedural Matters
    A. Congressional Review Act
    B. Regulatory Planning and Review (Executive Orders 12866 and 
13563)
    C. Regulatory Flexibility Act
    D. Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act
    E. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
    F. Takings (Executive Order 12630)
    G. Federalism (Executive Order 13132)
    H. Civil Justice Reform (Executive Order 12988)
    I. Consultation With Indian Tribes (Executive Order 13175 and 
Departmental Policy)
    J. Paperwork Reduction Act
    K. National Environmental Policy Act
    L. Effects on Energy Supply, Distribution, and Use (Executive 
Order 13211)
    M. Clarity of This Regulation
    N. Data Quality Act
    O. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act
    P. Protection of Children From Environmental Health Risks and 
Safety Risks (Executive Order 13045)

I. Background

A. How did the reclamation fee work before the 2021 amendments?

    Title IV of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 
(SMCRA)

[[Page 2342]]

created the AML Fund, which is funded primarily by a reclamation fee 
(also known as the AML fee) assessed on each ton of coal produced in 
the United States and which, among other things, provides funding to 
eligible States and Tribes for the reclamation of coal mining sites 
abandoned or left in an inadequate reclamation status as of August 3, 
1977. As originally enacted, section 402(a) of SMCRA fixed the 
reclamation fee at 35 cents per ton (or 10 percent of the value of the 
coal, whichever was less) for coal other than lignite produced by 
surface mining methods, 15 cents per ton (or 10 percent of the value of 
the coal, whichever was less) for coal other than lignite produced from 
underground mines, and 10 cents per ton (or 2 percent of the value of 
the coal, whichever was less) for lignite. Section 402(b) of SMCRA 
first authorized collection of reclamation fees for 15 years following 
the date of SMCRA's enactment (August 3, 1977). Congress extended our 
fee collection authority through September 30, 1995, in the Omnibus 
Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 (Pub. L. 101-508, 104 Stat. 1388, 
Sec.  6003(a)). The Energy Policy Act of 1992 (Pub. L. 102-486, 106 
Stat. 2776, 3056, Sec.  19143(b)(1) of Title XIX), extended our fee 
collection authority through September 30, 2004. A series of short 
interim extensions in appropriations and other acts extended our fee 
collection authority through September 30, 2007.
    The Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act Amendments of 2006 
(the 2006 amendments) were signed into law on December 20, 2006, as 
part of the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006 (Pub. L. 109-432, 
120 Stat. 2922). The 2006 amendments extended our fee collection 
authority under section 402(b) through September 30, 2021, and reduced 
the reclamation fee rates in section 402(a) by 10 percent for the 
period from October 1, 2007, through September 30, 2012, and an 
additional 10 percent from the original levels for the period from 
October 1, 2012, through September 30, 2021. Therefore, the fee rates 
from October 1, 2012, through September 30, 2021, required coal mine 
operators to pay 28 cents per ton (or 10 percent of the value of the 
coal, whichever was less) for coal other than lignite produced by 
surface mining methods, 12 cents per ton (or 10 percent of the value of 
the coal, whichever was less) for coal other than lignite produced from 
underground mines, and 8 cents per ton (or 2 percent of the value of 
the coal, whichever was less) for lignite. OSMRE notified operators of 
the change in fee rates resulting from the 2006 amendments in January 
and September 2007. On November 14, 2008, OSMRE promulgated final 
regulations at 30 CFR part 870 and 872 to codify these changes and 
other revisions made by the 2006 amendments (73 FR 67576).

B. How did the 2021 amendments change the reclamation fee and the 
annual AML grant distributions?

    The 2021 amendments, signed into law on November 15, 2021, as part 
of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Pub. L. 117-58, 135 
Stat. 429), extended our fee collection authority under section 402(b) 
through September 30, 2034, and reduced reclamation fee rates in 
section 402(a) by 20 percent from the prior rates. Therefore, for the 
calendar quarter beginning October 1, 2021, the current rates require 
operators to pay 22.4 cents per ton (or 10 percent of the value of the 
coal, whichever is less) for coal other than lignite produced by 
surface mining methods, 9.6 cents per ton (or 10 percent of the value 
of the coal, whichever is less) for coal other than lignite produced 
from underground mines, and 6.4 cents per ton (or 2 percent of the 
value of the coal, whichever is less) for lignite.
    In addition, the 2021 amendments extended the current annual AML 
grant distributions to both uncertified and certified States and 
Tribes. (A State or Tribe ``certifies'' under section 411(a) of SMCRA 
(30 U.S.C. 1240a) when it has completed all known coal AML priorities.) 
Specifically, the 2021 amendments revised section 401(f)(2) of SMCRA to 
extend our annual grant distributions from the AML Fund to eligible 
uncertified States and Tribes by 13 years. The extension of our fee 
collection authority in section 402(b) also had the effect of extending 
the AML grant distributions from general Treasury funds (i.e., 
certified in lieu funds) to certified States and Tribes by 13 years as 
provided in sections 402(i)(2) and 411(h)(2) of SMCRA (30 U.S.C. 
1232(i)(2) and 1240a(h)(2)).
    While we consider the 2021 amendments to be self-executing, some of 
our current regulations are inconsistent with these provisions. To 
provide consistency between our regulations and the 2021 amendments and 
to clarify that fee collections continue without interruption at the 
reduced rates and annual AML grant distributions to eligible States and 
Tribes based on fee collections continue using the formula described in 
section 401(f) of SMCRA and 402(i)(2), we are publishing an interim 
final rule, which will be effective immediately upon publication. The 
interim final rule we are promulgating today will revise 30 CFR parts 
870 and 872 to reflect the reduction in reclamation fee rates and the 
extension of our fee collection authority and annual AML grant 
distributions.
    The purpose of this interim final rule is to codify these revisions 
to make the regulations consistent with SMCRA, as amended by the 
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and allow the public to comment 
on the rule. As we are amending our regulations under an interim final 
rule, we will forgo issuing a proposed rule. The interim final rule 
will take effect on the date specified above in DATES, with public 
comment to conclude as set forth in DATES. If necessary, the interim 
final rule may be revised based on public comments received. Any final 
rule will contain responses to comments received on the interim final 
rule, state the final regulatory provisions, and provide the 
justification for those provisions.

II. Administrative Procedure Act

A. Why is the rule being published on an interim final basis?

    OSMRE is promulgating this interim final rule solely to accurately 
reflect the requirements of sections 40702 and 40703 of the 
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. These provisions amended 
subsections (a) and (b) of section 402 of SMCRA (30 U.S.C. 1232) to 
reduce reclamation fee rates by 20 percent and extend our fee 
collection authority through September 30, 2034, which extends AML 
grants to eligible States and Tribes from Treasury funds as provided in 
sections 402(i)(2) and 411(h)(2). The 2021 amendments further changed 
subparagraphs (A) and (B) of section 401(f)(2) of SMCRA (30 U.S.C. 
1231(f)(2)) to extend the annual AML distribution dates for grants to 
eligible States and Tribes from the AML Fund. To avoid confusion, OSMRE 
is also making a clarifying change to the introductory section of 30 
CFR 872.27(a)(2). OSMRE is not making any other changes to the 
regulations at 30 CFR subchapter R.
    As previously noted, OSMRE is promulgating this rule on an interim 
final basis as authorized by the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) at 
5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B). This provision of the APA provides a ``good 
cause'' exemption that allows an agency to issue a rule without prior 
notice or opportunity for public comment ``when the agency for good 
cause finds (and incorporates the finding and a brief statement of the 
reasons therefor in the rules issued) that notice and public procedure 
thereon are impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public

[[Page 2343]]

interest.'' An additional exemption at 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) allows an 
agency to publish a rule less than 30 days before its effective date 
``for good cause found and published with the rule.''
    OSMRE finds that promulgation of this interim final rule, effective 
upon publication and without prior notice or opportunity to comment, 
meets the good cause threshold because those procedures are 
``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest'' with 
respect to this rule and also meets the good cause threshold for 
exempting the rule from the 30-day waiting period before a rule goes 
into effect. 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B); 553(d)(3). The revisions to our 
regulations made by this interim final rule are made only to conform 
our existing regulations to the changes to the AML fee rate and our fee 
collection authority, as well as the extension of the annual AML 
grants, made by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. With this 
interim final rule, OSMRE is not exercising any discretion and is 
simply conforming its rules to the requirements contained within the 
new statute; therefore, public notice and comment is impracticable and 
unnecessary.
    Furthermore, it is in the public interest because this rule revises 
out-of-date regulations to conform to the changes made by the 2021 
amendments. These changes provide clarity and avoid the confusion that 
might otherwise result from stale regulatory provisions that are 
inconsistent with current law. The concurrent extension of our fee 
collection authority and reduction in reclamation fee rates, if not 
clearly understood by coal mine operators, could result in delayed 
payment of reclamation fees, which could subject operators to late 
payment penalties and potentially affect annual AML grant distributions 
to States and Tribes (30 U.S.C. 1231(f) and 1232(i)(2)) or estimated 
interest payments to the UMWA Health and Retirement Funds' health care 
plans (30 U.S.C. 1232(h)). Conversely, confusion over reclamation fee 
rates could also result in overpayments based on the previous, higher 
reclamation fee rate, which may require OSMRE to process refunds and 
reduce administrative efficiency. For these reasons, we are availing 
ourselves of the good cause exemptions at 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B) and 
553(d)(3) and providing notice and an opportunity for public comment 
after the effective date of this interim final rule, which will be 
considered in the development of any subsequent final rule.

B. How does the rule operate?

    This interim final rule revises our regulations to be consistent 
with the 2021 amendments, which extend our statutory authority to 
collect reclamation fees for an additional 13 years, reduce reclamation 
fee rates, and extend the dates when annual grant funding will be 
available to eligible States and Tribes. Similar to the explanation in 
the proposed rule for the 2006 SMCRA amendments, this rule retains 
certain expired fee rates at 30 CFR 870.13 for historical purposes and 
for use in future audits of production from the years in which those 
rates applied. See 73 FR 35214, 35219 (June 20, 2008). This rule also 
makes a clarifying change to 30 CFR 872.27(a)(2).

III. Procedural Matters

A. Congressional Review Act

    Pursuant to the Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., the 
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) of the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) has determined that this rulemaking is not 
a major rulemaking, as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2), because this 
rulemaking has not resulted in, and is unlikely to result in: (1) An 
annual effect on the economy of $100,000,000 or more; (2) a major 
increase in costs or prices for consumers, individual industries, 
Federal, State, or local government, or geographic regions; or (3) 
significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, 
productivity, innovation, or on the ability of United States-based 
enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises in domestic and 
export markets.
    As noted above, this rulemaking merely reflects the IIJA's updates 
to the reclamation fee rates, continuation of the collection of AML 
fees, and extension of the annual AML grant distributions. Although 
OSMRE typically collects over $100 million annually in reclamation fees 
and distributes over $100 million in annual AML grants to eligible 
States and Tribes, the change resulting from the IIJA's lower fee rates 
is anticipated to be less than $100 million a year compared to fees we 
collected and grants we distributed in the fiscal years since fiscal 
year 2013, when the fee rate last changed. And because the 2021 
amendments are self-executing, any effects come not from requirements 
imposed by this rule, but rather from the extension of our fee 
collection authority and concurrent reduction in reclamation fee rates 
by Congress. As a result, this rule is not considered a major 
rulemaking.

B. Regulatory Planning and Review (Executive Orders 12866 and 13563)

    Executive Order 12866 provides that the OIRA will review all 
significant rules. Because this final rule merely reflects the IIJA's 
updates to the reclamation fee rates, continuation of the collection of 
AML fees, and extension of the annual AML grant distributions, OIRA has 
concluded that this rulemaking is not a significant regulatory action 
under Executive Order 12866. Pursuant to Executive Order 12866, an 
action is a ``significant regulatory action'' if it ``is likely to 
result in a rule that may: (1) Have an annual effect on the economy of 
$100 million or more or adversely affect in a material way the economy, 
a sector of the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the 
environment, public health or safety, or State, local, or tribal 
governments or communities; (2) create a serious inconsistency or 
otherwise interfere with an action taken or planned by another agency; 
(3) materially alter the budgetary impact of entitlements, grants, user 
fees, or loan programs or the rights and obligations of recipients 
thereof; or (4) raise novel legal or policy issues arising out of legal 
mandates, the President's priorities, or the principles set forth in 
this Executive order.''
    Although the reclamation fees collected and AML grants distributed 
typically total over $100 million annually, this rule merely 
acknowledges a continuation of an existing program mandated by Congress 
and is therefore not a change with a significant monetary impact. In 
addition, because the administrative and procedural provisions of this 
rule would reflect an annual impact of less than $100 million, it is 
not significant under Executive Order 12866. For the same reasons, to 
the extent that this rulemaking reflects the IIJA's extension of grants 
to eligible States and Tribes, it merely corresponds with the IIJA's 
continuation of an existing program for an additional 13 years. 
Furthermore, as OSMRE has collected reclamation fees and distributed 
annual AML grants for four decades, the agency is not aware of any 
inconsistencies with other agency actions or novel legal or policy 
issues that could arise as a result of the reauthorization of the 
reclamation fee and the extension of AML grants.
    Executive Order 13563 reaffirms the principles of Executive Order 
12866 while calling for improvements in the Nation's regulatory system 
to promote predictability, to reduce uncertainty, and to use the best, 
most innovative, and least burdensome tools for

[[Page 2344]]

achieving regulatory ends. The Executive Order directs agencies to 
consider regulatory approaches that reduce burdens and maintain 
flexibility and freedom of choice for the public where these approaches 
are relevant, feasible, and consistent with regulatory objectives. 
Executive Order 13563 emphasizes further that regulations must be based 
on the best available science and that the rulemaking process must 
allow for public participation and an open exchange of ideas. We have 
developed this rule in a manner consistent with these requirements, to 
the extent permitted by statute.

C. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), which requires an agency to 
prepare a regulatory flexibility analysis for all rules, unless the 
agency certifies that the rule will not have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities applies only where an 
agency is required to publish a general notice of proposed rulemaking 
for any proposed rule. See 5 U.S.C. 601(2), 603(a), and 604(a). As 
OSMRE is not required to publish a notice of proposed rulemaking for 
this interim final rule, the RFA does not apply.

D. Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act

    This rule is not a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804(2), the Small 
Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act. As explained in section 
III.A. above, this rule:
    (a) Will not have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million 
or more;
    (b) will not cause a major increase in costs or prices for 
consumers, individual industries, Federal, State, or local government 
agencies, or geographic regions; and
    (c) will not have significant adverse effects on competition, 
employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or the ability of 
United States-based enterprises to compete with foreign-based 
enterprises.

E. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA) requires that, 
before promulgating any general notice of proposed rulemaking that is 
likely to result in promulgation of any rule that may result in the 
expenditure by a State, Tribal, or local government, in the aggregate, 
or by the private sector of $100 million, adjusted annually for 
inflation, in any 1 year, an agency must prepare a written statement 
that assesses the effects on State, Tribal, and local governments and 
the private sector. See 2 U.S.C. 1532(a). As OSMRE is not required to 
promulgate a notice of proposed rulemaking for this interim final rule, 
the UMRA does not apply.

F. Takings (Executive Order 12630)

    This rule does not effect a taking of private property or otherwise 
have takings implications under Executive Order 12630. A takings 
implication assessment is not required.

G. Federalism (Executive Order 13132)

    Under the criteria in section 1 of Executive Order 13132, this rule 
does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a federalism summary impact statement. A federalism 
summary impact statement is not required.

H. Civil Justice Reform (Executive Order 12988)

    This rule complies with the requirements of Executive Order 12988. 
Specifically, this rule:
    (a) Meets the criteria of section 3(a) requiring that all 
regulations be reviewed to eliminate errors and ambiguity and be 
written to minimize litigation; and
    (b) meets the criteria of section 3(b)(2) requiring that all 
regulations be written in clear language and contain clear legal 
standards.

I. Consultation With Indian Tribes (Executive Order 13175 and 
Departmental Policy)

    The Department of the Interior strives to strengthen its 
government-to-government relationship with Tribes through a commitment 
to consultation with Tribes and recognition of their right to self-
governance and Tribal sovereignty. We have evaluated this rule under 
the Department's consultation policy, under Departmental Manual Part 
512, Chapters 4 and 5, and under the criteria in Executive Order 13175 
and have determined that it has no substantial direct effects on 
Federally-recognized Tribes or Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act 
(ANCSA) Corporations, and that consultation under the Department's 
Tribal consultation policy is not required. OSMRE will conduct informal 
listening sessions with Tribes with eligible AML programs to provide an 
overview of the IIJA as it relates to the AML program.

J. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The collection of information contained in this rule has been 
previously approved by OMB under the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 
3501 et seq.). The existing control number for 30 CFR part 870 is 1029-
0063 and the expiration date is February 29, 2024. The existing control 
number for 30 CFR part 872 is 1029-0054 and the expiration date is 
February 29, 2024. We may not conduct or sponsor, and you are not 
required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays 
a currently valid OMB control number.

K. National Environmental Policy Act

    This rule does not constitute a major Federal action significantly 
affecting the quality of the human environment. A detailed statement 
under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not 
required because the rule is covered by a categorical exclusion. This 
rule is excluded from the requirement to prepare a detailed statement 
because it is a regulation of an administrative and financial nature. 
See 43 CFR 46.210(i). In addition, any environmental effects of this 
rulemaking as a whole are too broad, speculative, and conjectural 
because the nature of AML problems vary, they occur in numerous 
locations throughout the country, and will be reclaimed at different 
times, and NEPA review is completed on each project completed with 
these funds closer to the time that the project is undertaken. Id. We 
have also determined that the rule does not involve any of the 
extraordinary circumstances listed in 43 CFR 46.215 that would require 
further analysis under NEPA.

L. Effects on Energy Supply, Distribution, and Use (Executive Order 
13211)

    This rule is not a significant energy action under the definition 
in Executive Order 13211. A Statement of Energy Effects is not 
required.

M. Clarity of this Regulation

    We are required by Executive Orders 12866 (section 1(b)(12)), 12988 
(section 3(b)(1)(B)), and 13563 (section 1(a)), and by the Presidential 
Memorandum of June 1, 1998, to write all rules in plain language. This 
means that each rule we publish must:
    (a) Be logically organized;
    (b) use the active voice to address readers directly;
    (c) use common, everyday words and clear language rather than 
jargon;
    (d) be divided into short sections and sentences; and
    (e) use lists and tables wherever possible.
    If you believe that we have not met these requirements in issuing 
this final rule, please contact the individual listed in the FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section. Your comments should be as 
specific as possible in

[[Page 2345]]

order to help us determine whether any future revisions to the rule are 
necessary. For example, you should tell us the numbers of the sections 
or paragraphs that you find unclear, which sections or sentences are 
too long, the sections where you feel lists or tables would be useful, 
etc.

N. Data Quality Act

    In developing this rule, we did not conduct or use a study, 
experiment, or survey requiring peer review under the Data Quality Act 
(Pub. L. 106-554).

O. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act

    Section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement 
Act (NTTAA) (15 U.S.C. 3701 note et seq.) directs Federal agencies to 
use voluntary consensus standards when implementing regulatory 
activities unless to do so would be inconsistent with applicable law or 
otherwise impractical. This final rule is not subject to the 
requirements of section 12(d) of the NTTAA because application of those 
requirements would be inconsistent with SMCRA, and the requirements 
would not be applicable to this final rulemaking.

P. Protection of Children From Environmental Health Risks and Safety 
Risks (Executive Order 13045)

    Executive Order 13045 requires that environmental and related rules 
separately evaluate the potential impact to children. However, 
Executive Order 13045 is inapplicable to this rulemaking because this 
is not a substantive rulemaking and a notice of proposed rulemaking was 
neither required nor prepared. See section 2-202 and 5-501 of Executive 
order 13045.

List of Subjects

30 CFR Part 870

    Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund, Fee collection and coal production 
reporting, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Surface mining.

30 CFR Part 872

    Indians--land, Moneys available to eligible States and Indian 
tribes.

Laura Daniel-Davis,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Land and Minerals Management.

    The action taken herein is pursuant to an existing delegation of 
authority.

    For the reasons given in the preamble, the Department of the 
Interior amends 30 CFR parts 870 and 872 as set forth below:

PART 870--ABANDONED MINE RECLAMATION FUND--FEE COLLECTION AND COAL 
PRODUCTION REPORTING

0
1. The authority citation at part 870 is revised to read as follows:

    Authority:  28 U.S.C. 1746, 30 U.S.C. 1201 et seq., Pub. L. 105-
277 and Pub. L. 117-58.


0
2. Amend Sec.  870.13 by:
0
a. Removing paragraph (a);
0
b. Revising paragraph (b); and
0
c. Redesignating paragraph (c) as paragraph (a).
    The revision reads as follows:


Sec.  870.13   Fee rates.

* * * * *
    (b) Fees for coal produced for sale, transfer, or use from October 
1, 2021, through September 30, 2034. Fees for coal produced for sale, 
transfer, or use from October 1, 2021, through September 30, 2034, are 
shown in the following table:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Type of fee                        Type of coal                       Amount of fee
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Surface mining fee..................  Anthracite, bituminous, and  (i) If value of coal is $2.24 per ton or
                                           subbituminous, including     more, fee is 22.4 cents per ton.
                                           reclaimed.
                                                                       (ii) If value of coal is less than $2.24
                                                                        per ton, fee is 10 percent of the value.
(2) Underground mining fee..............  Anthracite, bituminous, and  (i) If value of coal is $0.96 per ton or
                                           subbituminous.               more, fee is 9.6 cents per ton.
                                                                       (ii) If value of coal is less than $0.96
                                                                        per ton, fee is 10 percent of the value.
(3) Surface and underground mining fee..  Lignite....................  (i) If value of coal is $3.20 per ton or
                                                                        more, fee is 6.4 cents per ton.
                                                                       (ii) If value of coal is less than $3.20
                                                                        per ton, fee is 2 percent of the value.
(4) In situ coal mining fee.............  All types other than         9.6 cents per ton based on Btu's per ton
                                           lignite.                     in place equated to the gas produced at
                                                                        the site as certified through analysis
                                                                        by an independent laboratory.
(5) In situ coal mining fee.............  Lignite....................  6.4 cents per ton based on the Btu's per
                                                                        ton of coal in place equated to the gas
                                                                        produced at the site as certified
                                                                        through analysis by an independent
                                                                        laboratory.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *

PART 872--MONEYS AVAILABLE TO ELIGIBLE STATES AND INDIAN TRIBES

0
3. The authority citation at part 872 is revised to read as follows:

    Authority:  30 U.S.C. 1201 et seq., Pub. L. 117-58.


0
4. Amend Sec.  872.15 by revising paragraph (b)(1) to read as follows:


Sec.  872.15   How does OSM distribute and award State share funds?

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (1) We annually distribute State share funds to you as shown in the 
following table:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
    For the Federal fiscal         The amount of State share funds we
   year(s) beginning . . .      annually distribute to you will be . . .
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(i) October 1, 2007 and        50 percent of your 50 percent share of
 October 1, 2008.               reclamation fees collected on prior
                                fiscal year coal production.
(ii) October 1, 2009 and       75 percent of your 50 percent share of
 October 1, 2010.               reclamation fees collected on prior
                                fiscal year coal production.
(iii) October 1, 2011 and      100 percent of your 50 percent share of
 continuing through September   reclamation fees collected on prior
 30, 2035.                      fiscal year coal production.
(iv) October 1, 2035 (fiscal   The amount remaining in your State share
 year 2036).                    of the Fund.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 2346]]

* * * * *

0
5. Amend Sec.  872.18 by revising paragraph (b)(1) to read as follows:


Sec.  872.18   How will OSM distribute and award Tribal share funds?

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (1) We annually distribute Tribal share funds to you as shown in 
the following table:

 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
    For the Federal fiscal        The amount of Tribal share funds we
   year(s) beginning . . .      annually distribute to you will be . . .
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(i) October 1, 2007 and        50 percent of your 50 percent share of
 October 1, 2008.               reclamation fees collected on prior
                                fiscal year coal production.
(ii) October 1, 2009 and       75 percent of your 50 percent share of
 October 1, 2010.               reclamation fees collected on prior
                                fiscal year coal production.
(iii) October 1, 2011 and      100 percent of your 50 percent share of
 continuing through September   reclamation fees collected on prior
 30, 2035.                      fiscal year coal production.
(iv) October 1, 2035 (fiscal   The amount remaining in your Tribal share
 year 2036).                    of the Fund.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *

0
6. Amend Sec.  872.21 by revising paragraphs (b)(1) and (2) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  872.21   What are historic coal funds?

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (1) The moneys we reallocate based on prior balance replacement 
funds distributed under Sec.  872.29, which will be available to 
supplement grants beginning with Federal fiscal year 2036; and
    (2) The moneys we reallocate based on certified in lieu funds 
distributed under Sec.  872.32, which will be available to supplement 
grants in Federal fiscal years 2009 through 2035.

0
7. Amend Sec.  872.22 by revising paragraph (c) to read as follows:


Sec.  872.22   How does OSM distribute and award historic coal funds?

* * * * *
    (c) We annually distribute historic coal funds to you as shown in 
the following table:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
 For the Federal fiscal years     The amount of historic coal funds we
       beginning . . .          annually distribute to you will be . . .
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) October 1, 2007 and        50 percent of the amount we calculate
 October 1, 2008.               using the formula described in paragraph
                                (b) of this section.
(2) October 1, 2009 and        75 percent of the amount we calculated
 October 1, 2010.               using the formula described in paragraph
                                (b) of this section.
(3) October 1, 2011 and        100 percent of the amount we calculate
 continuing through September   using the formula described in paragraph
 30, 2035.                      (b) of this section.
(4) October 1, 2035 (fiscal    100 percent of the amount we calculate
 year 2036), and thereafter.    using the formula described in paragraph
                                (b) of this section until funds are no
                                longer available or you have reclaimed
                                your remaining Priority 1 and 2 coal
                                problems.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *

0
8. Amend Sec.  872.27 by revising paragraph (a)(2) to read as follows:


Sec.  872.27   How does OSM distribute and award minimum program make 
up funds?

* * * * *
    (a) * * *
    (2) For each Federal fiscal year, we add minimum program make up 
funds to your combined distribution of prior balance replacement, State 
or Tribal share, and historic coal funds as shown in the following 
table:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 The amount of minimum program make up
   For each of the Federal     funds we add to your distribution will be
 fiscal years beginning . . .                    . . .
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(i) October 1, 2007 and        50 percent of the amount that we
 October 1, 2008.               calculated should be added under
                                paragraph (a)(1) of this section.
(ii) October 1, 2009 and       75 percent of the amount that we
 October 1, 2010.               calculated should be added under
                                paragraph (a)(1) of this section.
(iii) October 1, 2011 and      100 percent of the amount that we
 continuing through September   calculated should be added under
 30, 2035.                      paragraph (a)(1) of this section as long
                                as you have at least $3 million of
                                Priority 1 and 2 coal problems
                                remaining.
(iv) October 1, 2035 and       to the extent funds are available, 100
 thereafter.                    percent of the amount that we calculated
                                should be added under paragraph (a)(1)
                                until you have less than $3 million of
                                Priority 1 and 2 coal problems
                                remaining.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *

0
9. Amend Sec.  872.30 by revising paragraph (c) to read as follows:


Sec.  872.30   How does OSM distribute and award prior balance 
replacement funds?

* * * * *
    (c) At the same time we distribute prior balance replacement funds 
to you under this section, we transfer the same amount to historic coal 
funds from moneys in your State or Tribal share of the Fund that were 
allocated to you before October 1, 2007. The transferred funds will be 
available for annual grants under Sec.  872.21 for the Federal fiscal 
year beginning October 1, 2035, and annually thereafter. We will 
allocate, distribute, and award the transferred

[[Page 2347]]

funds according to the provisions of Sec. Sec.  872.21, 872.22, and 
872.23.

[FR Doc. 2022-00513 Filed 1-13-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-05-P