Library of COALEX Research Reports

COALEX Research Reports are the products of research and analysis conducted on specific issues relating to the regulation of Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977. The research is conducted in response to requests for information from State Regulatory Authorities, under a cooperative agreement between the Office of Surface Mining (OSM) and the Interstate Mining Compact Commission (IMCC).

COALEX refers to the Library of Surface Mining Materials maintained by OSM in LEXIS-NEXIS and is a major source for the research.

Each Report includes a list of resources which were sent as attachments to the individual who requested the research. To obtain a copy of the attachments or to obtain any additional information, contact Joyce Zweben Scall by phone at 202-686-9138 or by email at JZScall@aol.com.

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COALEX STATE COMPARISON REPORT - 204

February 1992

Patrick R. Ralston, Director
Department of Natural Resources
608 State Office Building
100 N. Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204

TOPIC: LENGTH OF TIME FOR PERMIT APPROVAL

INQUIRY: Please poll the IMCC member states for the following information: "How long (number of months) does it take to approve a new, first time permit, from the time of receipt until final approval?"

SEARCH RESULTS: Eight states responded to the survey. The results are summarized on the attached table. Also attached are five state's responses to a similar survey conducted by the National Coal Association.

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States that responded to the IMCC Survey:

1. Alabama
2. Illinois
3. Kentucky
4. Maryland
5. Missouri
6. Pennsylvania
7. Texas
8. Virginia

Responses from the NCA survey are included for:

1. Alabama
2. North Dakota
3. Pennsylvania
4. Ohio
5. Virginia

Survey was conducted by: Gregory Conrad and Beth Bostis

TABLE OF SURVEY RESPONSES

STATE	MONTHS	DAYS	EXPLANATION
ALABAMA	3-4 months	N/A	If applicant provides complete and accurate information, approval process may take a little over 2 months.
ILLINOIS	11 months	330 days	The permit application is in the operator's hands for revisions/modifications for a significant amount of the time.
KENTUCKY	6 months	N/A	If applicant provides complete and accurate information, with no revisions required, permit would be issued in 65 days. Realistic minimum time is 3 months.
MARYLAND	12 months	N/A	Process ranges 5 months - 2 years with the permit application residing with the applicant for revision for at least half of the time.
MISSOURT	5 months	N/A	This is the maximum time.
PENNSYLVANIA	6 months	180 days	N/A
TEXAS	15-18 months	N/A	This is the worst-case scenario.
VIRGINIA	3 months	140 days	The Virginia permit review team has 20 days to perform reviews of any portions of a permit application; this would allow a permit to be issued in as few as 60 days.

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