<p> Department of Interior seeking input for long awaited updates to coal leasing Listening sessions seek to hear local voices on improving coal program</p><p>Contacts: Josh Mantell, Carbon Management Campaign Manager, 202-429-2674, [email protected] Anastasia Greene, Communications Associate, 202- 429-2624, [email protected] </p><p>WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 29, 2015) – The Department of Interior (DOI) kicked off its federal coal listening sessions today in the nation’s capital. It will be the first stop in a cross-country tour aimed at hearing the American public’s thoughts on how to best update the program for leasing coal on public lands. The Wilderness Society applauds these listening sessions as a chance to implement a local community driven approach to energy development on public lands. </p><p>The following statement is from Josh Mantell, carbon campaign manager for The Wilderness Society.</p><p>“It is long past time for our country to have this conversation. We hope the result will be policies that bring the coal program into the twenty-first century. Americans expectations and activities on public lands have shifted; energy development is no longer the number one priority. We are glad to see DOI and BLM recognizing that and seeking input from people and communities who care about development on federal lands.”</p><p>Increasingly, our public lands are used as a place for recreation activities like hiking, kayaking and angling, or peaceful relaxation and connecting with nature. Western economies are booming with recreation and tourism dollars. When we encourage energy development over other uses of the lands, through low rates and outdated policies, we are short-changing Americans who value these activities.” </p><p>###</p><p>The Wilderness Society is the leading conservation organization working to protect wilderness and inspire Americans to care for our wild places. Founded in 1935, and now with more than 700,000 members and supporters, The Wilderness Society has led the effort to permanently protect 109 million acres of wilderness and to ensure sound management of our shared national lands. www.wilderness.org. </p>