What We Do

Powder River Basin Resource Council was founded in 1973 by rural landowners working to protect their land, water, and air from the ravages of coal strip mining. For 45 years our citizen-based organization has been dedicated to civil society and to the stewardship of Wyoming’s human and natural resources.  We are committed to community organizing, leadership development, and the empowerment of citizens.

We played a leading role in the 1970’s to secure passage of landmark state and federal coal mining regulations, including the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act and the federal Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act. Our citizen-led efforts resulted in more effective coal mine permitting, bonding, reclamation and replacement of lost water wells - establishing a regulatory framework that continues to guide industry and government today.

The successes we found in our early work have continued throughout the years. Over the past four decades, the concentration of our work has been on ensuring responsible development that prevents and mitigates the negative impacts of energy development on the environment and the citizens of Wyoming. We have worked hard to prevent energy companies from harming private property, or ruining our clean air and water, and enjoyment of our homes. Our citizen power has effectively limited energy company influence over the legislative process and administrative agencies.

In addition to our energy work, a core part of our mission is protecting Wyoming’s agricultural heritage and ensuring a sustainable ag economy. Over the years, we have helped ensure a future for family farmers and ranchers, worked to curb corporate control of livestock markets, stopped corporate hog farms from expanding in Wyoming, and passed legislation to provide more rights for ranchers and farmers negotiating with energy companies.  More recently, we have expanded our work to support a growing local food and a new agricultural economy for our state.