Feds bar new Powder River coal leasing

CASPER — The Bureau of Land Management on Tuesday passed final rules for the Powder River Basin stating that more than 413,000 acres of land are to be blocked off from new federal coal leasing. 

Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon blasted the decision and stated that he will seek to have the decision reversed — even through litigation. 

The revision of the rules began following a court order that directed the BLM to conduct a new environmental analysis that included no new coal leasing and limited coal leasing as options. 

The decision to end new federal coal leasing — making 48.12 billion short tons of coal unavailable — was signed by Bureau of Land Management Director Tracy Stone-Manning last week and went into effect immediately. 

A letter by Buffalo Field Manager Todd D. Yeager in the Record of Decision states that the decision will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and supports the “nation’s long term climate strategy of putting the U.S. on a pathway to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.” 

The bureau further added that “BLM-administered coal is not necessary” because an analysis found that “operating mines in the planning area collectively have existing leases with sufficient coal reserves to maintain projected mine production levels into 2041.” 

In response to the decision, Gordon blasted the Biden administration and committed to overturning the decision by the BLM. 

“Despite Congress’ direction that federal lands under BLM control be managed for multiple uses, the Biden Administration’s crusade against responsible coal extraction continues,“ Gordon wrote in a press release following the decision. “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.” 

He added that the BLM ignored his and the Cowboy State’s concerns. 

“It is apparent BLM has ramrodded this plan through the federal administrative process, rather than addressing legitimate grassroots issues identified by the state and its counties,” Gordon said. “The State of Wyoming will seek every remedy to overturn this decision, including litigation. We will also work with the incoming Wyoming Congressional Delegation and the Trump Administration to reverse this foolhardy decision,” he said.