Letter to OSMRE Regarding Blackjewel Bankruptcy

July 15, 2019 Dear Acting Director Owens, On behalf of our millions of members, many of whom live in areas directly affected by coal mining operations, the undersigned organizations write to you to express our concerns about Blackjewel/Revelation Energy’s bankruptcy filing that occurred on July 1, 2019. We ask that you work swiftly to exercise […]

Powder River Statement on Contura-Blackjewel Permit Transfer Hearing

July 10, 2019 “In light of Blackjewel’s bankruptcy and how chaotically this situation evolved, we thank the EQC for staying the permit transfers at this time. We are relieved that the Eagle Butte and Belle Ayr permits will remain under Contura,” said Powder River Basin Resource Council Chair Joyce Evans.  “However, we are disappointed that […]

An Open Editorial to Honorable Governor Gordon

July 3, 2019 The time has come for Wyoming to rise to the occasion and address the truth about the declining coal industry. Wyoming must step up to help Wyoming’s coal communities transition to a new future. The devastating impact to coal miners and the community of Gillette with the abandonment and hollowing out of […]

Western Landowners Groups Call for Comprehensive Review of the Federal Coal Program

June 10, 2019 (Sheridan, WY) Powder River Basin Resource Council, Northern Plains Resource Council, Dakota Resource Council, Western Colorado Alliance, and the Western Organization of Resource Councils, through comments to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) submitted today, asked the Department of Interior (DOI) to re-initiate its comprehensive review of the federal coal program and […]

Environmental Quality Council Raises Concerns Over Blackjewel Coal Mine Permit Approval

May 17, 2019 After a two-day hearing over Powder River Basin Resource Council’s (Resource Council) objections to Contura Coal West’s proposal to transfer their permits for Belle Ayr and Eagle Butte coal strip mines to Blackjewel LLC, the Wyoming Environmental Quality Council (EQC) postponed making a decision in order to gather more information regarding the […]

Powder River Statement on Cloud Peak Bankruptcy

May 10, 2019 “In light of Cloud Peak’s bankruptcy filing, we urge the State of Wyoming and county governments to aggressively participate in the bankruptcy proceedings on behalf of miners, taxpayers, and our environment. We are concerned that these mines will be transferred to entities with even less financial ability to meet tax and clean-up […]

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 […]