December 4, 2024 - President Joe Biden’s administration approved legislation blocking new coal mining in parts of Wyoming and Montana due to climate change concerns. Republican politicians in both states vowed to challenge and eventually overturn the decision.

The Bureau of Land Management announced its approval of the Resource Management Plan Amendment for the Buffalo Field Office in Buffalo, Wyoming, according to reports. This amendment will prohibit new federal coal mining leases in the Powder River Basin by 2041. The judgment was made over concerns about the amount of greenhouse gas emissions due to coal mining operations, according to official documentation. 

“Reducing availability of BLM-administered coal for leasing consideration reduces the contribution of greenhouse gas emissions from the development and combustion of BLM-administered coal from the planning area,” read an official notice pertaining to the decision. “The BLM determined that additional leasing of BLM-administered coal is not necessary based on the current analysis in the Final Supplemental EIS. The analysis indicates that operating mines in the planning area collectively have existing leases with sufficient coal reserves to maintain projected mine production levels into 2041.”

Wyoming’s Powder River Basin is hundreds of miles long and extends between northeast Wyoming and southeast Montana. It is responsible for producing approximately 40% of the country’s coal. The amendment would restrict “48.12 billion short tons of coal unavailable for leasing consideration in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as a proxy for climate change.”

Republican politicians in Wyoming and Montana denounced the decision and vowed to fight for change. 

“Despite Congress’ direction that federal lands under BLM control be managed for multiple uses, the Biden administration’s crusade against responsible coal extraction continues,” wrote Gov. Mark Gordon (R-WY). “BLM’s decision intentionally ignores both the energy needs of our nation and the devastating economic impacts its decision has on Wyoming and its communities.”

Montana’s governor echoed similar sentiments.

“Once again, the Biden-Harris administration is ignoring states and crippling our energy supply,” said Gov. Greg Gianforte (R-MT). “While Montana supports an ‘all-of-the-above’ energy strategy, the White House is picking winners and losers on the president’s way out the door. Simply put, this rule will destroy coal jobs and defund public education in Montana. It’s a disaster.”

Wyoming’s senator rebuked the decision and said he would work with President-elect Donald Trump to overturn it once he began his term. 

“After the American people issued a stunning rebuke to President Biden, he continues to punish Wyoming communities,” said Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY). “I will work with President Trump and his team to reverse this and other midnight regulations.”

Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) also criticized the decision and emphasized that his state’s natural resources produce much of the country’s energy. Daines also mentioned the other national benefits of the region’s coal mining. 

“At every turn, the Biden administration has launched attack after attack on made-in-Montana energy, and the people of Montana and the rest of the country rebuked the administration for it at the ballot box,” Daines said.

Daines also announced his intention to introduce legislation that would overturn the recent decision by the BLM. 

“Eastern Montana is rich in coal and mining operations, and the jobs and coal produced in the Powder River Basin help support our national security, bolster our energy grid, and create high-paying jobs,” Daines said. “For that reason, I will be introducing legislation to reverse this wrongheaded decision.”