[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 175 (Friday, September 9, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 55837-55838]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-23140]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Office of Natural Resources Revenue

30 CFR Parts 1202 and 1206

[Docket No. ONRR-2011-0004]
RIN 1012-AA00


Workshops To Discuss Revisions to Federal and Indian Coal 
Valuation Regulations: Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

AGENCY: Office of Natural Resources Revenue, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Public Workshops.

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SUMMARY: The Office of Natural Resources Revenue (ONRR) announces three 
public workshops to discuss specific issues regarding the existing 
royalty valuation regulations at 30 CFR parts 1202 and 1206 for coal 
produced from Federal and Indian leases.

DATES: The public workshop dates and cities are:
    Workshop 1--October 12, 2011 (8:30 a.m.-12 p.m. mountain time) in 
Denver, Colorado.
    Workshop 2--October 18, 2011 (8:30 a.m.-12 p.m., central time) in 
St. Louis, Missouri.
    Workshop 3--October 20, 2011 (8:30 a.m.-12 p.m. mountain time) in 
Albuquerque, New Mexico.

ADDRESSES: The public workshop locations are:
    Workshop 1--Office of Natural Resources Revenue, Denver Federal 
Center, 6th Avenue and Kipling Street, Building 85, Auditoriums A-D, 
Denver, Colorado 80226, telephone number (303) 231-3585.
    Workshop 2--Marriott St. Louis Airport, 10700 Pear Tree Lane, St. 
Louis, Missouri 63134, telephone number (314) 423-9700.
    Workshop 3--Bureau of Land Management, Albuquerque District Office, 
435 Montano Road, NW., Albuquerque, New Mexico 87102, telephone number 
(505) 761-8700.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Hyla Hurst, Regulatory Specialist, 
Office of Natural Resources Revenue, P.O. Box 25165, MS 61013C, Denver, 
Colorado 80225, telephone (303) 231-3495, fax number (303) 233-2225, e-
mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The comment period for the Advance Notice

[[Page 55838]]

of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) for Federal and Indian coal valuation 
closed on July 26, 2011. The ONRR received responses from 11 commenters 
representing industry, a tribe, a state, a community group 
(representing several member groups), 2 coal publications, and 3 trade 
groups. We appreciate the feedback and hope to obtain additional input 
at the public workshops. You may find it helpful to review the comments 
prior to your attendance at one of the workshops. You may access the 
comments at http://www.onrr.gov/Laws_R_D/PubComm/AA00rmpc.htm.
    As indicated in the ANPR, the intention of this rulemaking process 
is to provide regulations that would (1) Offer greater simplicity, 
certainty, clarity, and consistency in production valuation for mineral 
lessees and mineral revenue recipients; (2) be easy to understand; (3) 
decrease industry's compliance costs; and (4) provide early certainty 
to industry and ONRR that companies have paid every dollar due.
    The ONRR is seeking further public comment on the following issues:
    (1) Using index prices to value coal. Commenters were mixed on the 
subject of using index prices to value coal. Some commenters noted the 
perceived lack of available indices or pricing mechanisms for some 
regions and for Indian coal. If ONRR does move forward in using index 
prices to value coal for royalty purposes on a limited basis, for what 
regions does this approach make sense?
    (2) Examining possible alternatives for the use of gross proceeds 
to value coal sold at arm's-length. Commenters generally provided that 
no changes to arm's-length valuation were necessary. Is there any 
support to develop alternatives for the use of gross proceeds in 
valuing coal sold at arm's length?
    (3) Examining possible alternatives to improve non-arm's-length 
valuation. Comments on this issue were mixed. The ONRR invites more 
specific comments on the reasons that current rules should be 
maintained or revised and other suggestions to improve non-arm's-length 
coal valuation regulations.
    (4) Examining the possible use of separate valuation methods for 
lessees that are coal cooperatives or for lessees that consume their 
coal. Comments on this issue were divided. The ONRR invites comments on 
whether separate valuation methods are needed for coal cooperatives and 
lessees that consume lease coal and suggestions regarding methodologies 
that would be appropriate.
    (5) Simplifying the methods for determining coal transportation and 
washing allowances. Comments on this issue were generally in favor of 
maintaining the status quo and basing allowances on reasonable, actual 
costs. However, ONRR invites suggestions regarding other methodologies 
that would simplify the determination of transportation and washing 
allowances.
    The ONRR is also interested in receiving comments on any other 
alternative valuation methodologies that would provide additional 
levels of clarity, efficiency, and early certainty to the industry and 
Federal Government. In addition to the specific issues identified 
above, we invite participants to comment on any other significant 
issues impacting the value of Federal and Indian coal for royalty 
purposes.
    Executive Order 13175 requires the Federal Government to consult 
and collaborate with the Indian community (tribes and individual Indian 
mineral owners) in the development of Federal policies that impact the 
Indian community. The locations of the workshops were chosen to allow 
for increased participation by the Indian community.
    We encourage stakeholders and members of the public to participate. 
The workshops will be open to the public without advance registration; 
however, attendance may be limited to the space available at each 
venue. For building security measures, each person may be required to 
present a picture identification to gain entry to the meetings.

    Dated: September 2, 2011.
Gregory J. Gould,
Director for Office of Natural Resources Revenue.
[FR Doc. 2011-23140 Filed 9-8-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P