Federal and State Governments Under-Regulate and Under-Enforce Oil and Gas Protections with Dire Consequences
Dakota Resource Council member Daryl Peterson and others brief Congress on how produced water can harm farmland and freshwater aquifers.
News
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
Hardrock Mining Reform Seeks to Level the Playing Field
Legislation Introduced in both House and Senate aims to collect royalties from minerals mined on public land and ensure that hard rock mines are cleaned up. During a May 9th press conference, Congressman Grijalva (D-AZ) and Lowenthal (D-CA), along with … Continued
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?
Energy Companies and State Legislators Conspire to Limit Free Speech in the West
Critical Infrastructure Bills written by corporate lobbyists to chill the Constitutional Right to protest plague the West during the 2019 legislative season. With the quick stroke of a pen, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem signed two bills into law creating … Continued
“Doing It Right” Means More Jobs for Colstrip and Around the United States
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.
It’s Time to Call Out Oil and Gas Companies’ Dishonesty on Methane Reductions
It’s en vogue for energy companies to say they’re against methane pollution, but their membership in trade groups lobbying for looser regulations says it all. In the past month, several major oil and gas companies including Shell and ExxonMobil have … Continued
Non-Resident Coal Mine Owners Are a Danger to Wyoming’s Communities
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.
Western Native Voice Community Spotlight: Reno Charette
The Native American Achievement Center, on the Montana State University-Billings campus, helps to recruit and retain American Indian students. Reno Charette, the Director of the Achievement Center, teaches courses in Native American studies and advocates for students by providing academic and personal support. This month, Western Native Voice Community Spotlight stopped by the Achievement Center recently to visit with Reno about their role on campus and some upcoming events.
WORC Opposes the Confirmation of David Bernhardt as Secretary of the Department of the Interior
Someone with so many conflicts of interest cannot be entrusted with one fifth of all land in the United States.