Central Montana Times

U.S. Senator Steve Daines has sent a letter to President Biden’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM), urging the withdrawal of amendments to the Miles City and Buffalo Resource Management Plans that would halt future coal leases in eastern Montana and Wyoming.

“I am strongly opposed to the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) proposed amendments to the Miles City Field Office and Buffalo Field Office Resource Management Plans (RMPs) and urge you to withdraw them. President Biden has made clear that he opposes coal mining and coal-fired energy generation regardless of the cost to rural America and electric reliability. The proposed moratorium on new federal coal leasing in Montana and Wyoming will destroy jobs in these rural states and harm our nation’s energy security,” Daines wrote.

“Since coal production is a major economic driver in Montana and Wyoming, the proposed amendments will also damage the economies in these states. BLM’s own analysis on these two proposed amendments acknowledges that ending coal leasing means foregoing thousands of potential mining jobs and a significant revenue stream to the states. This revenue from the federal coal leases is used by the states and counties to support schools, repair roads, and provide essential services to rural communities. Losing these jobs and revenue will have a damaging effect on these states’ economies,” Daines continued.

The Powder River Basin, which contributes 45 percent of all U.S. coal production, plays a crucial role in grid reliability as electricity demand grows. Coal jobs are vital for supporting rural economies and generating revenue for Montana counties. In 2021, Montana's coal industry contributed 6,138 direct and indirect jobs, adding approximately $828 million to the state gross domestic product.

Daines issued a statement criticizing the Biden administration following the release of the proposed Resource Management Plan Amendment.