Landowners and downstream water users were successful in gaining a review of the status of reclamation by federal and state agencies overseeing mining at Cloud Peak Energy’s Spring Creek Mine in southeastern Montana. Federal Judge Susan Watters affirmed an earlier decision … Continued
A team of scientists led by Dr. Dan Jaffe, professor of Atmospheric and Environmental Chemistry at the University of Washington, carried out a study of pollution emitted from coal trains and freight trains in the Columbia River Gorge. The study … Continued
Read the full statement from Powder River Basin Resource Council, Northern Plains Resource Council, and WORC here. Today, the Department of Interior announced a complete review of the federal coal program. The review comes in response to calls from citizens … Continued
Early this morning, once-giant coal mining company Arch Coal, Inc. filed for bankruptcy in St. Louis, Missouri. The move was widely anticipated following a missed interest payment to the company’s lenders in mid-December, but is nevertheless grim news for communities … Continued
Landowner members of the Northern Plains Resource Council filed a petition asking the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to permanently close the file on the Tongue River Railroad (TRR). For 38 years the TRR has prevented landowners from making investments and … Continued
Today, WORC and Powder River Basin Resource Council (PRBRC) filed a formal citizen complaint requesting inspection and enforcement of financial bonds guaranteeing reclamation at Arch’s huge Wyoming mines. At stake is Arch’s $457 million reclamation liability that covers both its Black Thunder … Continued
A new report released yesterday sheds light on the hidden costs of coal production, which the Department of the Interior (DOI) should take into account if it wants to modernize the federal coal program and earn “fair market value” for taxpayers, as required by … Continued
WORC helped lead an effort urging members of Congress this week to refrain from weakening the proposed Stream Protection Rule pending before the Office of Surface Mining and Reclamation Enforcement. Coal-state members of Congress are trying to halt the long awaited … Continued
A troupe of WORC members and staff attended two packed days of meetings in Washington, D.C., on November 18 and 19. The meetings brought participants face-to-face with federal decision makers to hear their demands on coal leasing, mining, and reclamation policy. Unlike … Continued
Alongside member groups Powder River Basin Resource Council, Northern Plains Resource Council, and Dakota Resource Council, WORC submitted substantive written comments today on the federal Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement’s proposed Stream Protection Rule. Read WORC’s comments here. … Continued