REPEAL OF THE 160-ACRE LIMITATION FOR COAL LEASES.

SEC. 432. REPEAL OF THE 160-ACRE LIMITATION FOR COAL LEASES. Section 3 of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 203) is amended— (1) in the first sentence, by striking “Any person” and inserting the following: “(a)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (3), on a finding by the Secretary under paragraph (2), any person”; (2) in the second sentence, by striking “The Secretary” and inserting the following: “(b) The Secretary” ; (3) in the third sentence, by striking “The minimum” and inserting the following: “(c) The minimum” ; (4) in subsection (a) (as designated by paragraph (1))— (A) by striking “upon” and all that follows and inserting the following: “secure modifications of the original coal lease by including additional coal lands or coal deposits contiguous or cornering to those embraced in the lease.”; and (B) by adding at the end the following: “(2) A finding referred to in paragraph (1) is a finding by the Secretary that the modifications— “(A) would be in the interest of the United States; “(B) would not displace a competitive interest in the lands; and “(C) would not include lands or deposits that can be developed as part of another potential or existing operation. “(3) In no case shall the total area added by modifications to an existing coal lease under paragraph (1)— “(A) exceed 960 acres; or “(B) add acreage larger than that in the original lease.” .