In mid-July, the DARK Act passed in both the U.S. House and Senate. It now awaits President Obama’s signature or veto. The bill to label genetically modified organisms (GMO) in products, often referred to by opponents as the “Denying Americans … Continued
The Department of the Interior closed the coal royalty loophole in late June after years of study and public comments. On June 30, the agency issued a new rule to calculate royalties for federal coal and other minerals. Companies pay royalties … Continued
In Casper, in Salt Lake City, in Knoxville, in Seattle, in Grand Junction, and in Billings, WORC members made a strong case to reform federal coal leasing and detailed issues that need to be addressed. Scoping hearings around the country drew big … Continued
Dakota Resource Council (DRC) members and allies celebrated a victory on June 14 after North Dakotans overwhelmingly rejected a haphazard law passed by the state legislature to open the floodgates to corporate farming. More than 75% of voters rejected the ballot measure. … Continued
Federal coal leasing is a broken program stuck in the 20th century. For over a generation, a U.S. government program has sold publicly owned coal to private companies at fire-sale prices, losing out on billions of dollars of public funds and leaving … Continued
The Army Corps of Engineers turned down the Gateway Pacific Terminal, a proposed coal export terminal at Cherry Point, near Bellingham, Washington. The Corps ruled the project would impact the treaty-protected fishing rights of the Lummi Nation. Artist and Northern … Continued
In May and June the Department of the Interior (DOI) plans to hold six hearings on the federal coal leasing program. The hearings are an opportunity for the public to comment as the agency reviews the controversial program. Numerous reports have … Continued
This coming Tuesday, students at Blackfeet Community College will get a hearty dose of a timely topic through Western Native Voice’s new civic engagement workshop. Western Native Voice has developed a curriculum on civic engagement for tribal college students and … Continued
Prominent Senators from Washington State and Illinois launched a congressional investigation of coal self bonding for mine reclamation allowed by some states, including Wyoming. Taxpayers are potentially on the hook for over a billion dollars worth of reclamation work after two major … Continued
From March 7 to 9, the People’s Lobby, twelve Western Colorado Congress leaders and staff, traveled to the State Capitol and met with nine lawmakers about legislation that benefits West Slope communities. The long drive to Denver is part of WCC’s annual People’s Lobby Trip. These are … Continued