Regulation of Surface Coal Mining and Surface Effects of Underground Coal Mining
Active
- Assistance listing
- 15.250
- Agency
-
Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement
Department of the Interior
- Grant awards
- 678 $1,107,547,724 in federal obligations
Program facts
- Assistance types
-
- Project Grant
- Formula Grant
- Cooperative Agreement
- Block Grant
- Treasury account
-
- 14-1801-0-1-302
- More information
Program details come from SAM.gov Assistance Listings. Updated . Grant award figures come from USAspending.gov.
About this program
The Department of the Interior Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement funds state and tribal administration and enforcement of approved surface coal mining regulatory programs under Title V of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA), Assistance Listing 15.250, with the most recent grant award issued January 1, 2026.
The program has sustained steady annual activity, averaging 26 awards per year from 2022–2025, declining to 5 awards year-to-date in 2026. Since 1998, 678 total awards have obligated $1.11 billion in federal dollars, with combined federal and non-federal obligations reaching $1.94 billion—indicating significant recipient cost-sharing or matching contributions. The Office of Surface Mining is the sole funding source across all awards in the portfolio.
Funded activities center on administration and enforcement of state and tribal regulatory programs as described in 30 CFR Subchapter T, including all costs directly identified in approved programs, support services, equipment, and costs to develop program amendments. Eligible applicants are states and tribes with active coal mining operations that have developed and received approval for regulatory primacy under Title V. All grants are limited to one-year performance periods and annually renewable; applications require approval within 30 days, with a standard general deadline of September 30 annually.
The portfolio is predominantly Project Grants (87 percent, 593 awards), with smaller shares of Cooperative Agreements (6 percent, 39 awards), Formula Grants (5 percent, 35 awards), and Block Grants (2 percent, 11 awards). Recent awards range from approximately $51 thousand to $32.6 million, with large awards concentrated among coal-intensive states. Representative recent awards include Pennsylvania ($23.8 million, October 2024), West Virginia ($19.6 million, January 2025), Kentucky ($24.6 million, September 2025), Pennsylvania ($12.5 million, October 2025), and Texas ($6.2 million, December 2024). Awards to smaller programs or minimal coal mining jurisdictions fall below $100 thousand. The program does not currently display open grant opportunities in the source.
Objective and description
- Objective
To assist the States and Tribes with active coal mining in administering approved regulatory programs.
- Description
Title V of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA), P.L. 95-87, as amended, authorizes the Office of Surface Mining to fund state, tribal and Federal programs to control the environmental impacts of surface coal mining. It authorizes states and tribes to develop and assume regulatory primacy, act as the regulatory authority, and operate their coal regulatory program. OSM regulations at 30 CFR Chapter VII implement SMCRA.
Eligibility
- Applicant eligibility
The State or Tribe must have an approved program to regulate surface coal mining and a designated State agency to receive administration and enforcement regulatory grants.
- Beneficiary eligibility
State agencies responsible for regulation, reclamation and enforcement of provisions protecting the environment from negative effects of coal mining operations.
- Uses of assistance
Grants for permanent program development are available to fund staff and related costs in connection with preparing legislative proposals; preparing regulations; preparing permanent program applications to the Office of Surface Mining (OSM); and for other related purposes. Administration and Enforcement grants are awarded to assist qualified recipients that have received approval to operate permanent regulatory programs. Funded cooperative agreements provide for the regulation of coal mining activities on Federal lands. Technical assistance is available on any aspect of regulating surface impacts of coal mining.
- Use restrictions
Follow the cost principles at 2 CFR 200.
- Length and time phasing of assistance
All administration and enforcement grants are limited to one year period and are annually renewable.
How to apply
- Criteria for selecting proposals
Designated agencies that choose to comply with the Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement Provisions, Parts 725, 735, and 795 (Federal Register, Vol. 423, No. 239, Tuesday, December 13, 1977, Vol. 47, No. 169, August 31, 1982 and Vol. 48, No. 12, January 18, 1983), are eligible for awards. Criteria for amounts awarded are the State or Tribes need relative to other eligible States/Tribes.
- Award procedure
Grant applications will be reviewed by appropriate OSM Regional staff within 60 days of receipt of application. If the application is not approved, the Regional Office will set forth in writing the reasons for disapproval and may propose modifications if appropriate. The applicant may submit the revised application or appropriate revised portions of the application.
- Deadlines
General deadline to apply: 09/30/20XX
- Time to approval or disapproval
The approval/disapproval process is usually conducted within 30 days.
- Renewals
Annual renewal of applications is required for grants.
Grant awards
Latest 10 of 678 listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.
Top recipients by federal obligations
| Rank | Recipient | Federal obligations | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Energy & Environment Cabinet | $203,306,100 | 18% |
| 2 | West Virginia Department Of Environmental Protection | $179,006,502 | 16% |
| 3 | Pennsylvania Department Of Environmental Protection | $178,509,525 | 16% |
| 4 | The Virginia Department Of Energy | $53,027,498 | 5% |
| 5 | Department Of Natural Resources Illinois | $50,088,646 | 5% |
| 6 | Colorado Department Of Natural Resources | $42,151,311 | 4% |
| 7 | Texas Railroad Comm | $35,118,252 | 3% |
| 8 | Utah Oil Gas & Mining Division | $31,322,748 | 3% |
| 9 | Wyoming Department Of Environmental Quality | $31,306,728 | 3% |
| 10 | Montana Department Of Environmental Quality | $28,639,017 | 3% |
10 of 35 recipients listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.
Federal obligations by fiscal year
| Fiscal year | Federal obligations |
|---|---|
| FY2026 | $8,230,186 |
| FY2025 | $64,825,370 |
| FY2024 | $59,550,827 |
| FY2023 | $60,305,970 |
| FY2022 | $62,777,202 |
| FY2021 | $59,914,607 |
| FY2020 | $65,610,974 |
| FY2019 | $52,428,982 |
| FY2018 | $78,630,690 |
| FY2017 | $60,677,380 |
| FY2016 | $63,774,847 |
| FY2015 | $64,029,631 |
| FY2014 | $74,373,026 |
| FY2013 | $58,953,829 |
| FY2012 | $63,254,686 |
| FY2011 | $55,803,303 |
| FY2010 | $1,137,514 |
| FY2006 | $46,589,563 |
| FY2005 | $14,133,448 |
| FY2004 | $15,837,396 |
| FY2003 | $13,955,868 |
| FY2002 | $12,752,453 |
| FY2001 | $28,042,221 |
Show all 23
Quick answers
What is Assistance Listing 15.250?
Assistance Listing 15.250 is Regulation of Surface Coal Mining and Surface Effects of Underground Coal Mining, a federal grant program run by Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (Department of the Interior).
What is the CFDA number for Regulation of Surface Coal Mining and Surface Effects of Underground Coal Mining?
Its CFDA number is 15.250: Assistance Listing numbers were called CFDA numbers before 2018.
How much funding has Assistance Listing 15.250 awarded?
678 grant awards under 15.250 have obligated $1,107,547,724 in federal funds to 35 recipients.
Who receives the most funding from 15.250?
The recipients obligated the most under Regulation of Surface Coal Mining and Surface Effects of Underground Coal Mining are Energy & Environment Cabinet ($203,306,100), West Virginia Department Of Environmental Protection ($179,006,502) and Pennsylvania Department Of Environmental Protection ($178,509,525).
How much did 15.250 obligate in fiscal year 2025?
Grants under 15.250 obligated $64,825,370 in federal funds in fiscal year 2025.
On GovTribe
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