The attorneys general of Montana and Wyoming have filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration after it announced plans to halt federal coal production in the Powder River Basin.
This region, which spans 20,000 square miles in northeastern Wyoming and southeastern Montana, accounts for 85% of federal land-produced coal.
In November, the Biden administration revealed its final decision regarding a supplemental environmental impact statement (SEIS) and proposed an amendment to end coal mining in the area. The SEIS process is used to assess the potential environmental impacts of actions not fully evaluated in previous environmental impact statements (EIS).
Montana Attorney General Alex Knudsen criticized the decision, asserting that it would severely damage Montana’s coal industry.
“In Montana, we need coal—it fuels our economy and heats our homes in the winter,” Knudsen said.
He also argued that the decision was driven by political interests rather than the needs of the state’s residents.
Coal-powered plants provided 45% of Montana’s electricity generation last year, making the industry a significant part of the state’s economy.
Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon also voiced strong opposition to the federal government’s actions, claiming the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) ignored the economic consequences for both Montana and Wyoming. Gordon stated that the decision reflected a narrow-minded agenda and that the federal government had not adequately considered the impact on local economies. In Wyoming, coal generates over $1 billion annually in revenue.
The lawsuit argues that the BLM’s decision to halt new coal leasing in the Powder River Basin is unjustified and in violation of federal law. It also contends that the move marks a significant shift in how the BLM will interact with state and local governments, warning of broader implications for future land-use decisions.
“Wyoming will continue to lead in the fight against federal overreach,” said Gordon.
The Governor emphasized that the amendment ignored the nation’s increasing demand for affordable energy.
The lawsuit, filed in the US District Court for the District of Wyoming, seeks to have the BLM’s land-use plans vacated and set aside.
This legal challenge comes at a time when US coal production has declined by over 50% since 2010, with the federal government’s recent move being seen as part of a broader shift away from coal dependency.
The Center Square, Caledonian Record, and KPVI.com contributed to this report.
