Company: NC
Filing Date: 2025-03-05
Form Type: 10-K
Source: 0000789933-25-000006
Chunk: 42

Company: NACCO INDUSTRIES INC
Filing Date: 2025-03-05
Form: 10-K
Item: Item 1
Chunk 42
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 many instances, mining operations require securing CWA authorization or a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for operations in waters of the United States (WOTUS.) On May 25, 2023, the SCOTUS issued its Sackett vs. EPA ruling that defined WOTUS as “a relatively permanent body of water connected to traditional interstate navigable waters” with a “continuous surface connection with that water, making it difficult to determine where the ‘water’ ends and the ‘wetland’ begins.” As a result of the Sackett decision, the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers authored a revised definition of WOTUS and promulgated a final rule. The new rule does not go into effect in states where a stay had been issued for the previous rule, including North Dakota, Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. In these states, the legal challenges to this rule have resumed. In the meantime, securing CWA permits may be more challenging since the agencies in the states where a stay has been issued have less guidance to rely on to determine whether certain features are considered WOTUS. To the extent the implementation of the final rule, results of the litigation, or any further action expands the scope of jurisdiction, it may impose greater compliance costs or operational requirements on our coal mining operations.

Bellaire is treating mine water drainage from coal refuse piles associated with former underground coal mines in Ohio and Pennsylvania and is treating mine water from a former underground coal mine in Pennsylvania. Bellaire anticipates that it will need to continue these activities indefinitely. In 2004, Bellaire was notified by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection that it was required to establish a mine water treatment trust to serve as a long-term funding mechanism related to this obligation. See Note 7 and Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-K for further information on Bellaire.

These federal and state requirements could require more costly water treatment and could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act

RCRA affects coal mining operations by establishing requirements for the treatment, storage and disposal of wastes, including

hazardous wastes. Coal mine wastes, such as overburden and coal cleaning wastes, currently are exempted from hazardous

waste management. In 2020, the EPA finalized changes to the coal combustion residual (CCR) rule that classified all clay-lined surface impoundments that receive CCR as unlined. The EPA also established alternative deadlines to cease receipt