Re: “Come clean on federal coal program,” July 21 guest commentary.
Former Bureau of Land Management Director Jim Baca sees “a shocking inconsistency” in the federal coal leasing program. But the inconsistency is his illogical suggestion that the BLM should squeeze more revenue from the program while keeping more coal in the ground.
The governmentap own investigations do not support Baca’s contention that the federal coal leasing program is “seriously flawed,” let alone requires a “major overhaul.” Neither the Government Accountability Office report nor the Department of the Interior Inspector General’s investigation urged an overhaul of the coal lease program; merely modest improvements.
The program provides revenue and essential services to Americans. Last year the coal leasing program generated $2.6 billion for Colorado and the nation for schools, first responders, health care, roads, conservation funding, etc., and generated nearly one-fifth of the nation’s total electricity.
Hal Quinn, Washington, D.C.
The writer is president and CEO of the National Mining Association.
This letter was published in the Aug. 3 edition.
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