From the President’s Desk: Rich Nolan’s Blog

Rich Nolan, president and chief executive officer of the National Mining Association, offers his expertise and insights in this blog series. With more than 30 years of government affairs and political advocacy experience, Nolan provides a seasoned perspective on the U.S. mining industry, policy and how they impact our lives. Read Rich Nolan’s full bio here.

Share:

Chart of surging energy demand.

EPA Short-Circuits the U.S. Power Grid

On April 25, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched a blitz of regulations targeting the nation’s fossil-fuel power plants. In the center of the EPA’s crosshairs is America’s coal fleet, which remains a workhorse source of power across the country–and the leading source of electricity... Read More

Coal keeps the lights on

Mandating the Impossible

The regulatory onslaught against the reliable sources of power that support the U.S. electricity grid continues to advance. The Clean Power Plan 2.0 (CPP 2.0) is part of the Biden administration’s multi-pronged plan to shutter well-operating fossil fuel power plants well before there is anything in... Read More

met coal, steel, infrastructure

Met Coal: A Critical Piece of Our Industrial Base

“Coal” might bring to mind power plants and electricity generation but metallurgical coal, often referred to as met coal, has bolstered our nation’s infrastructure and economic strength for decades and is helping build the cities and infrastructure of tomorrow. As an indispensable ingredient in steel... Read More

Developing Tomorrow’s Mining Workforce - today

Developing Tomorrow’s Workforce - Today

The summer is winding down. Going back to school is a focus for many of us. It also provides me and the National Mining Association (NMA) with the perfect opportunity to spotlight some promising careers in the mining industry, as well as the education needed to fill these roles. Did you know that... Read More

The Mine Permitting Challenge

The Mine Permitting Challenge

To deploy a suite of advanced technologies that are capable of dramatically reducing global emissions, we will see a 1,000% increase in mineral usage by 2050. Think about that for a moment. That statistic is staggering, especially if you consider our reliance on foreign minerals to meet current demand.... Read More

A Reliable Grid Needs Coal

A Reliable Grid Needs Coal 

The last several years have seen energy crises across Europe, grid warnings in the U.S., and soaring electricity prices everywhere. Here at home, grid operators and regulators have warned for years about their concerns over the pace of our energy transition and what it means for the ability to deliver... Read More

Mining: The Backbone of the Economy

Mining: The Backbone of the Economy 

Your friend. Your neighbor. Maybe even your spouse. Everyone in this country knows someone who works in a mining-supported industry. And that's because, simply put, mining is the backbone of the American economy.  The mining industry provides hundreds of thousands of direct and indirect jobs. Companies... Read More

Mining for Every Season

Mining for Every Season

Mining was in the forefront of just about every policy discussion in 2022. To those in our industry, this doesn’t come as a surprise. The cornerstone of our economy, domestic mining secures supply chains, enhances national security, enables the technologies of the future, and keeps the lights on in our... Read More

Reform mine permitting for mineral supply chains

The Future of Mining Rests on the Actions of Today

For decades, the U.S. has been grappling with its overreliance on foreign countries for minerals, and how an unwieldly mine permitting process handicaps our ability to meet our mineral needs with domestic resources. We are now at an inflection point where we must address this issue, and the skyrocketing... Read More

US coal supports global energy security

U.S. Coal Can Support Global Energy Security

As countries deal with the effects of the energy crisis in Europe due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, skyrocketing natural gas prices and supply issues, they need affordable, reliable coal to meet their energy demands. Across Europe, allies are reopening shuttered coal plants or abandoning plans to... Read More

Mine permitting for critical minerals

Mine Permitting is the Foundation of the Supply Chain

Over the last two years, with the effects of shortages being felt in our daily lives, the American supply chain has been thrust into the spotlight. More than ever before, Americans are considering how many elements go into the products we use every day and where those products are sourced from. Minerals... Read More

Grid reliability

Grid Reliability is at a Tipping Point this Summer

Refrigerated medicine spoiling. Manufacturing facilities shutting down. Financial transactions coming to a halt. A lack of air conditioning that pushes indoor temperatures to punishing levels. When we hear the term “blackout” we think of a period without lights. But the ramifications of no electricity... Read More

Mining Industry Supports Holiday Traditions

Mining Makes the Holidays Happen

The experiences enjoyed and memories made from Thanksgiving through New Years are why we call it the “most wonderful time of the year.” While it’s people that drive this spirit of togetherness, we rely on a variety of technologies for our most treasured traditions. From traveling to see loved ones and... Read More

U.S. Energy Crisis

Avoid a U.S. Energy Crisis

The United States is vulnerable to an energy crisis if we don’t carefully manage the energy transition. Europe’s own historic, self-inflicted crisis serves as a warning to what could happen if U.S. decisionmakers follow Europe’s lead by focusing too heavily on the grid of the future, neglecting the energy... Read More

Bring mining home to secure out electric vehicle future

Bring Mining Home to Secure America’s EV Future

Oppose New Taxes on U.S. Mining Provisions included in the most recent version of the House Natural Resources Budget Reconciliation Act threaten the United States’ role in the global race to electrified transportation. As the world transitions to meet emissions-reduction goals, consumer interest in... Read More

Protect domestic mined materials supply chains

New Taxes and Fees Will Set Back U.S. Mining

Proposals Threaten Economic Recovery, Job Creation, Infrastructure The House is threatening to weaken the U.S. mining industry, applying further stress on our domestic supply chains, job creation and economic recovery with the Natural Resources Budget Reconciliation Act. Specifically, the legislation... Read More

met coal steel infrastructure

Build Back Better with America’s Met Mines

The U.S. is considering the biggest infrastructure investment since the construction of the Eisenhower interstate highway system. To modernize the buildings, transportation and energy systems proposed in President Biden’s $2.3 trillion plan we will need vast amounts of steel. Manufacturing that steel... Read More

Invest in Carbon Removal Technology

Invest in Carbon Removal Technology

2020 was a year of paradox. Even as our immediate world shrunk to family bubbles, we were reminded of the interconnectedness and vastness of humanity. We watched the world struggle with the same pandemic and challenges that we were facing. This global perspective is an immensely important one as we consider... Read More

© 2022, National Mining Association