halted coal mining equipment

Don’t let troubled companies leave Wyoming on the hook for coal mine cleanup

The time has come for Wyoming to rise to the occasion and address the truth about the declining coal industry. Wyoming must step up to help Wyoming’s coal communities transition to a new future. The devastating impact to coal miners and the community of Gillette with the abandonment and hollowing out of the Belle Ayr and Eagle Butte coal mines by an unscrupulous operator must be addressed.

coal trucks stand ready to extract minerals

Federal Court Reinstates Obama Royalty Rules

The Trump Administration’s attempt to cheat western communities out  of their share of energy royalties fails A federal court in California dealt a big blow to the deregulatory energy agenda of the Interior Department on Friday, April 12. Two years … Continued

cloud peak bankruptcy

Cloud Peak Energy Files Bankruptcy

As the coal market contracts, lives and livelihoods hang in the balance. On Friday, May 10, Cloud Peak Energy filed for bankruptcy protection in Delaware federal court. Unfavorable market pressures have brought low another of the country’s top coal mining … Continued

coal mine heavy equipment

Mining New Opportunities: Creating Resilient, Self-Reliant Communities in Coal Country

Coal has been a source of pride in North Dakota for decades. During its reign, coal brought to the region some great economic benefits, but new technologies and social pressures have pushed the market in a different direction. Thus far, North Dakota has been fairly insulated from coal’s decline because our coal is in the form of lignite. Historically, we had to be innovative to make our lignite coal cost-effective and usable. Our system, known as “mine mouth” plants, has kept coal viable longer even as it has become uneconomical around the country. With the recent closure of Beulah mine, demolition of Stanton Station, and the announcement of the closure of Heskett Station, we find ourselves wondering what is next for Coal Country?