Governor Patrick Morrisey and Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum have signed an amendment to the State-Federal Cooperative Agreement, granting West Virginia expanded authority over coal mining and reclamation on federal lands within the state. The agreement clarifies that West Virginia can now regulate coal mining activities on federal lands leased by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management.
“This amendment strengthens the principle of cooperative federalism that underpins SMCRA,” said Governor Morrisey. “West Virginia has long demonstrated that we can regulate responsibly while supporting the workers and communities that power our nation. By clarifying roles and reducing duplication, this agreement ensures greater efficiency, stronger accountability, and continued environmental protection. It allows decisions affecting West Virginia communities to be made closer to the ground by the people who understand our land, our workforce, and our economy.”
Secretary Burgum stated, “This agreement delivers on President Trump’s commitment to American Energy Dominance and cutting unnecessary red tape. By empowering West Virginia to take the lead, we’re streamlining regulations, boosting certainty for coal producers and supporting jobs and investment that strengthen our economy and energy security.”
With this amendment, the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) will oversee permitting, inspection, and enforcement for both private and federally leased coal operations in West Virginia. The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) will continue its oversight role to ensure compliance with the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA) as well as with terms outlined in the cooperative agreement.
