Coal miners no longer need to backfill land on a strict timeline

The Interior Department removed an old rule that required surface coal mines to backfill and grade land within a specific timeframe and distance of their operations. This means coal mining companies now have more flexibility in how quickly they restore mined land.

For over 30 years, this rule was technically on the books but not enforced. Removing it officially means mining companies no longer face a theoretical penalty for not immediately restoring land. This could allow them to operate more cheaply by delaying restoration work, or by doing it less frequently.