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What the new Energy Independence Bill means for UK coal mining

Yesterday was a huge day for climate action. The UK government introduced the new Energy Independence Bill to Parliament. It includes many big changes, but for Coal Action Network, it represents one of our biggest campaign wins ever: a permanent ban on licenses for new coal mines (S161-162).

For years, local communities, activists, and campaigners have fought hard against new coal projects. We joined forces to protest outside council meetings, challenge plans for destructive open-cast and deep coal mines, and send a clear message to politicians: to protect our future, we must keep coal in the ground.

This new Bill shows that the government is finally listening. By ending new coal mining licenses, the UK is shutting the door on an industry that belongs in the past. Since 2008, Coal Action Network has campaigned relentlessly for this win. Then, in 2023, Gower Street supported us to double our efforts at a critical time which successfully secured manifesto commitments from five major political parties in the 2024 general election – a historic first. The ban on new coal mine licences in the Energy Independence Bill fulfils Labour UK’s manifesto commitment that we secured.

Sections 161 and 162 of the new Energy Independence Bill create a legislative ban on new commercial coal-mining operations in the UK. Going forward, coal licensing will no longer support commercial extraction or market viability; instead, regulatory oversight is restricted entirely to safety, environmental protection, and cleaning up historical mining legacies.

A big win for local communities and the climate

To see why this law matters, look at the long struggles of recent years. Communities across the UK spent years fighting off unwanted coal projects. These battles drained people’s energy and money, stressed out local residents, and made a mockery of the UK’s promises to cut emissions.

Energy independence does not mean digging up more dirty fossil fuels that tie us to unpredictable global prices. True energy independence means getting off fossil fuels completely, expanding renewable energy, and phasing out coal everywhere.

By putting a stop to new mining licenses, Parliament is cutting off the problem at the source. This is no longer just a political debate – it is becoming the law. It tells investors and energy companies loud and clear that the era of UK coal is over.

Cleaning up the past and restoring nature for a kinder future

The Bill also changes the name of the Coal Authority to the Mining Remediation Authority (Pt.10, S.160, page204)

This change reflects the regulator’s new focus. Instead of helping companies dig up more coal, this public body will now focus on cleaning up the damage left behind by historic mines. Closing a mine is not the end of the story; our land and former mining towns need ongoing care, restoration, and investment.

Restoration campaigning

What comes next?

This ban is a massive victory, but our work is not done:

  • No loopholes: We must check the fine print to make sure energy companies cannot exploit any legal gaps such as by mining ‘waste coal’ from coal tips.
  • Fair support for workers: Former fossil fuel workers must get proper support, retraining, and good jobs for a just transition in the green economy.
  • The UK has made huge progress in cutting coal use, with zero coal on our power grid. This means domestic mining AND imports are at historic lows – but the cement industry, and to a lesser degree, the steel industry, still relies on coal. Technologies and methods exist to displace coal from these industries, but political ambition needs raising or else we risk simply off-shoring coal mining.
  • Global impact: We must stop UK banks and companies from funding coal projects overseas.
  • Although this victory ends new coal mines opening, it does not prevent the UK’s last two remaining coal mines from continuing to mine coal in Aberpergwm, South Wales, and Northumberland, England until 2039 and 2069 respectively. This is because those permissions are already granted.

Yesterday’s announcement shows what happens when people stand up for their local areas and refuse to give up. To everyone who signed a petition, joined a march, or helped fight a local coal plan: this victory is yours.

As this Bill moves through Parliament, Coal Action Network will continue to push for closing loopholes. But we also celebrate this huge step forward. The coal era is over in the UK. Now let’s build the clean energy future we all deserve.

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