Coal Complaints Rule Seen as Last-Ditch Move to Help Industry (1)

A final rule on Tuesday from the Interior Department is changing how citizens can report complaints about polluting coal mines, in what critics see as another administration attempt to help the ailing industry.

The announcement from the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement comes just a week before the presidential election, in which coal states like Pennsylvania and Ohio are likely to play a key role.

The final rule concerning so-called “Ten-Day Notices” sets a new standard that the office said is meant to streamline how citizen complaints are handled. Several coal mining groups and a Wyoming regulator said ...