President Donald Trump has signed a resolution overturning restrictions on coal extraction in eastern Montana, a move sponsored by Montana’s federal delegation. This decision aligns with Montana’s goals to boost its mining and energy sectors. Despite this, the demand for coal continues to decline, with production in Montana also on the downturn. The resolution, House Joint Resolution 104, was carried by Rep. Troy Downing and co-sponsored by Rep. Ryan Zinke, passing both chambers along partisan lines with only one Republican joining Democrats in opposition.
Montana’s U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy sponsored a similar Senate Joint Resolution 61. “Now more than ever, America needs affordable, reliable energy to fuel our new golden age,” Downing stated. He emphasized that the rollback of restrictions on coal leasing for the nation’s largest deposit ensures energy independence and economic security.
The new law is part of several bills signed by the president, rescinding resource management plans for public lands in Montana, North Dakota, Wyoming, and Alaska. In Montana, the legislation overturns a 2024 Bureau of Land Management rule that restricted coal leasing in the Powder River Basin, the nation’s largest coal-producing area. This rule had made over 1.7 million acres unavailable for coal leasing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, a move opposed by Montana’s leaders due to potential revenue loss from coal taxes.
Last year, Montana and Wyoming sued the federal government over the coal leasing halt. Earlier this year, Montana Governor Greg Gianforte urged the Trump administration to maximize federal coal availability. He praised the recent actions, highlighting the opening of nearly $4 billion in coal tax revenue for Montana.
Supply versus demand
Despite government efforts to boost coal mining, demand for coal is declining. The U.S. Energy Information Administration projects U.S. coal production to drop from 610 million tons in 2022 to 450 million tons by 2040, with Western U.S. production decreasing from 335 million tons to 224 million tons. In October, the federal government rejected a bid for a new coal lease in Montana’s Powder River Basin due to low valuation.
Conservation groups criticized the rollback of environmental protections and the lack of stakeholder input. Alison Flint, senior legal director at The Wilderness Society, stated, “Americans deserve public lands that protect clean air and water.” Republicans, however, celebrate their win, with Sen. Daines calling the Biden plan an “anti-coal rule.” Rep. Zinke emphasized the legislation’s impact on lowering energy costs and securing mining jobs.
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