Promoting economic incentives for environmental protection in the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977: an analysis of the design and implementation of reclamation performance bonds

Journal Article · Mon Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1985 · Nat. Resour. J.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5299477

Webber, B S; Webber, D J

This article examines the bonding system designed by the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA) and some alternatives developed by several states in their regulatory programs. As well, it evaluates the systems for their potential to provide economic incentives for coal operators to engage in environmentally sound mining techniques throughout the duration of the mining activities. The first section of this article briefly reviews the SMCRA. The second section outlines the specific reclamation bonding provisions of the act. The third section analyzes economic incentives and their application to coal mining, and the fourth section more particularly evaluates the reclamation bonding provisions of the act as market based incentives. Finally, the article assesses the design of reclamation bonds and suggests modifications intended to provide greater incentives for coal producers to protect the environment. 132 references.

• Research Organization: West Virginia Univ., Morgantown
• OSTI ID: 5299477
• Journal Information: Nat. Resour. J.; (United States), Vol. 25:2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
COAL INDUSTRY
LAND RECLAMATION
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
FINANCIAL INCENTIVES
SURFACE MINING ACTS
REVIEWS
DOCUMENT TYPES
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
INDUSTRY
LAWS
MINING LAWS
010900* - Coal
Lignite
& Peat- Environmental Aspects
017000 - Coal
Lignite
& Peat- Legislation & Regulations
294001 - Energy Planning & Policy- Coal
290300 - Energy Planning & Policy- Environment
Health
& Safety
510500 - Environment
Terrestrial- Site Resource & Use Studies- (-1989)