Once celebrated as America’s most coal-friendly leader, President Donald Trump is reportedly faring significantly worse than his predecessor when it comes to the waning coal industry. Q2 reports many in Montana’s Coal Country blamed Obama-era regulations for their demise, so when candidate Donald Trump promised to end a so-called “war on coal,” they were ready to believe him...
On Monday, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke finalized the withdrawal of more than 30,000 acres of federal lands in southwest Montana’s Paradise Valley from mining for 20 years, subject to valid existing rights.
There are two initiatives proposed for the November ballot that are prompting state legislative leaders to poll their fellow members for a possible special session proposed for July.
The Billings Gazette reports that Westmoreland Coal Company stock fell to 26 cents a share on Tuesday after the company– which owns three Montana mines– indicated it would consider bankruptcy.
The Colorado-based company, which feeds the Colstrip power plant from the Rosebud Mine, and whose Absaloka Mine has been a major source of income for the Crow Tribe, revealed in its annual report– filed late
Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell yesterday announced a two-year moratorium on mineral exploration near Yellowstone National Park for the next two years.
Local counties are feeling the pain as the downturn in coal reduces their expected income to support community services; Income that pays for services like law enforcement, county roads, the hospital, court system and other services. For example, revenue in Musselshell County is expected to fall this year by $300,000...