The National Mining Association (NMA) has highlighted evidence that unbalanced energy plans designed to limit America’s energy diversity are threatening the US economy, communities and access to reliable and affordable energy.

On 14 June, the US House Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources hears testimony from those most impacted by the Administration’s assault on fossil fuels – states, schools, unions and others that depend on coal for vital state revenues and jobs. Both revenue and jobs are at risk with current administration intentions to raise royalties and impose a three-year moratorium on federal coal production.

“Keep fossil fuels in the ground policies are an assault on affordable power and a threat to communities across America,” said Hal Quinn, NMA president and CEO.

“The Obama administration’s three-year moratorium on the leasing of coal reserves located on federal lands could jeopardise almost half of domestic coal supplies, creating less fuel diversity — with serious consequences for power generation, jobs, communities and American families. We applaud H.R. 5259, which seeks to limit the moratorium and to ensure that those who are impacted by federal land management policies have a voice in decisions over their livelihoods.”

At the same time that H.R. 5259 offers a voice to those directly impacted by unbalanced, “keep it in the ground” policies, the NMA indicated in a press release that the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Land Management continues to hold public meetings on the federal coal program thousands of miles away from the communities most impacted by the policies. The next three public hearings are slated for Seattle, Wash. and Grand Junction, Colo. next week, and Pittsburgh, Pa. the following week.

Quinn added: “Fossil fuels generate 67% of our nation’s electricity; wind and solar account for only 5.6%. That’s why keeping fossil fuels in the ground, and away from American consumers, needlessly threatens American communities, businesses and homes.”

Quinn urged the administration to return to the all-of-the-above energy policy that has served the nation well for generations. “A diverse mix of coal, natural gas, nuclear power, oil and renewable sources, ensures that electricity is reliable and affordable to all,” concluded Quinn.