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.
Amid coal bankruptcies, it’s more important than ever to use all of the available tools to transition to more resilient, diverse economies. On July 1st, 580 employees of the Blackjewel mines Belle Ayr and Eagle Butte were told to pack … Continued
Advocates from Across the United States Pressure Legislators for Bipartisan Support of the bill. During the week of June 17th, 2019, advocates met on Capitol Hill with a multitude of legislators, urging them to pass the RECLAIM Act of 2019 … Continued
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
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 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?
Northern Plains’ landmark study “Doing it Right II: Job Creation Through Colstrip Cleanup” shows how many good-paying jobs will continue if high-quality reclamation is done on its coal ash ponds.
One by one, our critical coal mining assets are being acquired by people with disreputable histories in Appalachia. Our miners, communities and lands are in danger of being impoverished by these operators and their schemes.
As coal mines begin filing for bankruptcy, Powder River’s push for new self-bonding rules may save Wyoming taxpayers billions. On Tuesday, February 19, the Wyoming Environmental Quality Council voted unanimously to reform the state’s coal mine reclamation self-bonding program, a … Continued
The energy industry-backed “Zombie Bill” is back, threatening to put corporate interests ahead of the well being and livelihoods of Wyoming residents. Written by Joyce Evans and Liza Millett of Powder River Basin Resource Council. Update February 4, 2019: Thanks to the advocacy … Continued