The House Natural Resources Committee has launched a new set of hearings devoted to analyzing the potential socioeconomic impacts of the Office of Surface Mining’s (OSM) proposed Stream Protection Rule (SPR).

The OSM is working to overcome a controversy in which sensitive documents leaked indicating the proposed SPR would result in greater job losses than previously expected. Many House Republicans are working to pass legislation barring the OSM from passing any more regulations on the coal industry, while most Democrats agree that additional limitations are needed.

Over the past several years, the federal government has endeavored to enact stricter regulations on coal mining in the United States to protect local communities and the environment from runoff and pollution associated with mining activities. The latest regulatory strategy, the Stream Protection Rule, focuses on the effects of surface coal mining on aquatic environments.

Sources: The Hill; House Natural Resources Committee; Office of Surface Mining