(a) Each permit shall be issued for a fixed term not to exceed 5 years. A longer fixed permit term may be granted, if:
  (1) the application is full and complete for the specified longer term; and
  (2) the applicant shows that a specified longer term is reasonably needed to allow the applicant to obtain necessary financing of equipment and the opening of the operation, and this need is confirmed, in writing, by the applicant's proposed source for the financing. An applicant who obtains the necessary financing through internally generated funds must confirm the showing with a written statement demonstrating the internal funding.
(b) Automatic termination shall occur as follows:
  (1) a permit shall terminate, if the permittee has not begun the surface coal mining and reclamation operation covered by the permit within 3 years of the issuance of the permit;
  (2) the Commission may grant reasonable extensions of time for commencement of these operations, upon receipt of a written statement showing that such extensions of time are necessary, if:
    (A) litigation precludes the commencement or threatens substantial economic loss to the permittee; or
    (B) there are conditions beyond the control and without the fault or negligence of the permittee;
  (3) with respect to coal to be mined for use in a synthetic fuel facility or specified major electric generating facility, the permittee shall be deemed to have commenced surface mining operations at the time that the construction of the synthetic fuel or generating facility is initiated; and
  (4) extensions of time granted by the Commission under this subsection shall be specifically set forth in the permit and notice of the extension shall be made to the public.
(c) Permits may be suspended, revoked, or modified by the Commission, in accordance with §§12.200 and 12.225 of this subchapter (relating to Experimental Practices Mining, and to Commission Review of Outstanding Permits), and Subchapter L of this chapter (relating to Permanent Program Inspection and Enforcement Procedures).

Source Note: The provisions of this §12.219 adopted to be effective April 7, 1997, 22 TexReg 3093.