A preliminary investigation by energy committee staffers found coal companies bought leases for pennies on the ton and enjoyed reduced tax rates on production while selling their product at or above market value, Wyden wrote Jewell.

The Oregon lawmaker opened an investigation into the coal leasing program last year, but is leaving his current chairmanship next week to head the Finance Committee. The investigation’s initial findings were released this week to accommodate Wyden’s departure, according to an Energy and Natural Resource Committee staffer. The investigation will continue after his departure, he said.

The information released by Wyden’s office included a letter from Interior Deputy Inspector General Mary Kendall responding to questions from the senator about an audit Interior conducted into the program last year.

In Wyoming, the audit found the state BLM office did not take adequate precautions to safeguard files containing the bureau’s process for determining the price of coal leases, Kendall wrote. In one instance, a Wyoming BLM state office staffer took a disk containing the records home, the report found. The audit also found Wyoming BLM did not consider export potential when stabling the price of a lease, a finding echoed by the GAO in its investigation.