Powder River Breaks March – April 2019

March – April 2019, Volume 47, Number 2 Aethon Energy, the company that operates the Moneta Divide oil and gas field, is seeking an expanded discharge permit from the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to dramatically increase their oil and gas wastewater discharge into the streams that flow into Boysen Reservoir. The volume of […]

Conservation Groups Question Cloud Peak Energy Mine Cleanup Bonds

April 8, 2019 Billings, Mont. —  Conservation groups sent a letter on Friday to the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) requesting an investigation into the reclamation bonds at the Spring Creek Mine near Decker, Mont., owned by nearly-bankrupt Cloud Peak Energy.  Inadequate bonding during bankruptcy could result in taxpayers picking up the tab for […]

Ramaco by the Numbers

Taking a closer look at the numbers for Ramaco’s proposed Brook Coal Mine near Sheridan. The math doesn’t add up. To read the full report, download the PDF.

Powder River Statement on New Coal Self-Bonding Rules

February 19, 2019 “Today is a proud moment for Wyoming: We now have the toughest self-bonding rules in the nation. With a 5-0 vote, the state Environmental Quality Council approved new rules limiting self-bonding of coal mines. This was a critical step allowing the state to better manage the risk of over $2 billion in […]

Powder River Files Complaint against DEQ for Public Records Act Violation

February 7, 2019 This week, Powder River Basin Resource Council (Resource Council) filed a complaint against the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) because the agency withheld documents directly related to Contura’s bond renewal for the Belle Ayr coal mine. The Resource Council’s complaint maintains that DEQ unlawfully withheld land appraisal documents directly related to […]

Powder River Objects to Blackjewel Coal Permits

November 29, 2018  (Sheridan, WY) Today, Powder River Basin Resource Council (Resource Council) filed an objection with the Wyoming Environmental Quality Council (EQC) over Contura’s proposal to transfer their coal mine permits for the Belle Ayr and Eagle Butte mines to Blackjewel, LLC. The Resource Council’s objection maintains that the permit transfers fail to meet […]

Powder River’s 2018 Annual Report

November 4, 2018 This is Powder River Basin Resource Council’s 2018 Annual Report. To read the full report, please download the PDF.

Powder River Comments to EPA on “Affordable Clean Energy Rule”

October 31, 2018 Environmental Protection Agency EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), Mail Code 28221T 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20460 Submitted via electronic mail to: a-and-r-Docket@epa.gov Re: Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2017-0355 Dear Acting Administrator Wheeler: On behalf of the members of the Powder River Basin Resource Council, thank you for the opportunity to submit comments […]

Powder River Breaks September – October 2018

September – October 2018, Volume 46, Number 5 Award-winning conservation photographer and author Michael Forsberg will highlight Powder River’s 46th Annual Meeting, Our Water, Our Land, Our Legacy, on Saturday, Nov. 3rd at the Sheridan Holiday Inn. Forsberg will present his work on Great Plains conservation. Additionally a selection of his photographs will be on […]

Updated Tax Report Shows Mineral Tax Delinquency Growing

(Sheridan, WY) An updated report shows that mineral extraction companies owe Wyoming counties nearly $55 million in unpaid taxes throughout the state, up nearly $13 million since January. Today Powder River Basin Resource Council (Powder River) released a revised report “Ad Valorem Taxes in Wyoming: Proposed Improvements” providing updated data and suggests legislative actions to […]