Amid turbulent times for a coal industry in long-term decline, who cleans up the leftover coal mines? Over $3 billion in mine cleanup costs are promised through “self-bonds,” mostly in Wyoming. Today brought good news that another coal major, Arch … Continued
Election years are great opportunities for our nonprofit groups to elevate issue campaigns and get candidates to discuss their public policy platforms. Our members and supporters look to WORC and the member organizations to focus attention on important concerns and … Continued
With politics heating up, it’s time to take a dive into how political parties approach energy policy on coal and climate change in the party platforms. Here’s a quick take on the on the party platforms of the Republicans, the … Continued
The Congressional recess means members of Congress are in their home state to hold town hall meetings, visit fairs and rodeos, and reconnect with constituents. These events are an opportunity to let your Representative and Senators know what you care … Continued
On July 25, Families for a Fair Wage turned in 200,000 signatures to the Colorado Secretary of State, more than double what is needed to place a minimum wage increase initiative on the November ballot. Western Colorado Congress members gathered over 1,000 of those signatures … Continued
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