II 112th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 3450 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 26, 2012 Mr. Coats (for himself, Mr. Barrasso, Mr. Enzi, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Hoeven, Mr. Lee, Mr. Cochran, Mr. Coburn, Mr. Risch, Mr. Crapo, Mr. Paul, Mr. McConnell, Mr. Hatch, Mr. Sessions, Mr. Wicker, Mr. Boozman, Mr. McCain, Mr. Burr, Mr. Isakson, and Mr. Chambliss) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources A BILL To limit the authority of the Secretary of the Interior to issue regulations before December 31, 2013, under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Coal Miner Employment and Domestic Energy Infrastructure Protection Act.

2.

Limitation on authority to issue regulations under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977

The Secretary of the Interior may not, before December 31, 2013, issue or approve any proposed or final regulation under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. 1201 et seq.) that would— (1)adversely impact employment in coal mines in the United States; (2)cause a reduction in revenue received by the Federal Government or any State, tribal, or local government, by reducing through regulation the quantity of coal in the United States that is available for mining; (3)reduce the quantity of coal available for domestic consumption or for export; (4)designate any area as unsuitable for surface coal mining and reclamation operations; or (5)expose the United States to liability for taking the value of privately owned coal through regulation.