Cantwell: The Incoming Administration Shouldn't Drop the Ball and Shortchange Taxpayers

Cantwell Responding to the New Coal Reform Roadmap Released Today by the Interior Department

January 11, 2017
Washington, D.C. – Today, Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) made the following statement on the Interior Department's coal reform roadmap:

The Department of the Interior’s roadmap is another important step in making sure taxpayers aren’t shortchanged by coal companies that mine on federal lands. It’s the Interior Department’s legal responsibility to review royalty rates and leasing policy. The incoming Administration shouldn’t drop the ball and shortchange taxpayers.”
 
The roadmap compiled input received from the public comments and the public meetings held throughout the country, including Seattle. Ahead of the open session in Seattle, Sen. Cantwell urged attendance at the meetings: “The American public should demand a full return on the federal resources that belong to them. Reforming this outdated, unbalanced program is increasingly necessary from a budget perspective, because taxpayers should not be subsidizing coal companies."
 
Since becoming ranking member of the committee, Sen. Cantwell has pushed for reforms to the federal coal program, including a letter to Secretary Jewell detailing the senator's reform priorities. Visit here for more details of Sen. Cantwell's work on coal issues.
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