Assessment of impacts to surface coal mine operators due to changes in surface mining regulations
The current administration within the Office of Surface Mining has determined that the existing surface mining regulations are an excessive burden on the mining operator and go beyond what the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) intended. As a result, these regulations have been rewritten within the intent of the Act but with more consideration for the operator constraints, costs, and discretion. This paper discusses what these changes mean to the surface coal mine operator with respect to alternative designs and potential cost savings. To facilitate this evaluation, the author has developed a case-study mine model technique which provides a detailed environmental and operational basis for assessing the cost impacts of the changed regulations. This paper discusses certain categories of regulations and what the changes in the regulations mean to the coal operator. Discussions in this analysis are limited to backfilling and grading, surface water control, roads and excess spoil disposal. Before and after design considerations are discussed, along with actual cost savings realized by the operator. In addition an analysis is offered on the proposed regulatory program and whether the program has accomplished the goal of decreasing the burden of environmental compliance.
- Research Organization:
- Fred C. Hart Associates, Inc., Denver, CO
- OSTI ID:
- 5339170
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-821175-
- Journal Information:
- Univ. Ky., Off. Eng. Serv., (Bull.); (United States), Journal Name: Univ. Ky., Off. Eng. Serv., (Bull.); (United States); ISSN UKOBD
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
017000* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Legislation & Regulations
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
294000 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Fossil Fuels
ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES
AMENDMENTS
COAL MINING
COMPLIANCE
COST
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
LAWS
MINING
MINING LAWS
OPERATING COST
REGULATIONS
SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS
SURFACE MINING ACTS