Obama rushes out 11th hour regulations targeting coal

Posted: Dec 28, 2016

this is incredibly spiteful. At virtually the last possible moment, the Obama administration on Monday rolled out new regulations making it even more difficult and more costly to mine coal in the U.S., a final shot against the already beleaguered coal industry as the president leaves office. The Interior Department’s Stream Protection Rule will go into effect 30 after its official release and publication in the federal register, meaning it likely will be implemented Jan. 19 — one day before President-elect Donald Trump takes office. Mr. Trump has vowed to undo much of his predecessor’s environmental regulations, including rules that target coal mining. The regulations will add significant new costs to coal-mining companies, many of which are already struggling to stay afloat. Critics, including leaders in the energy sector and Republicans on Capitol Hill, have said the proposal surely will lead to even more layoffs in the sector. ;