Bureau of Land Management Blocks New Coal Mining at Nation’s Largest Coal-Producing Region

A coal mine in Wyoming in an undated file photograph. Courtesy of the Bureau of Land Management

The federal government has blocked new coal mining on federal lands and underground mineral reserves in the Powder River Basin, the largest coal-producing region in the United States.

Notice of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM’s) decision to end new coal leases in an area spanning northeast Wyoming and southeast Montana was published in the Federal Register on Nov. 27.

The move was formalized in a Record of Decision signed by Bureau of Land Management Director Tracy Stone-Manning on Nov. 20. It went into effect immediately.

The decision blocks off about 413,250 acres of land to new coal leasing and makes 48.12 billion short tons of coal unavailable for consideration, as part of the federal government’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. According to a 2019 report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, 16 mines in the area produce more than 40 percent of the nation’s total coal.

Existing coal leases will not be affected and will continue operations through their associated lease terms. Current lease applications are expected to run out in 2041, according to BLM’s Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan Amendment.

The ban comes in response to a 2022 order from the United States District Court for the District of Montana, under which the BLM was directed to redo its environmental analysis of the Powder River Basin. The analysis was to include an examination of the potential climate and public health impacts of allowing coal, oil, and gas production from public lands in the area.

That order came after the judge ruled that two previous BLM proposals failed to address the potential public health consequences.

According to BLM, the plans to halt new coal leasing support the “nation’s long term climate strategy ... of putting the U.S. on a pathway to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050,” and come as the U.S. energy market is transitioning away from coal to lower-priced natural gas and renewable energy sources.

In 2023, wind and solar production within the United States was higher than coal from January to May, the agency said, while in 2024, wind and solar produced more energy than coal from January to July.

Energy storage systems, smart grid technologies, demand response programs, and interconnected grids are all sufficient enough to address renewable production intermittency and provide grid stability, according to the agency.

A dragline and coal haul truck at North Antelope Rochelle Mine, Wyoming. Courtesy of Peabody Energy

Renewable energy technologies have multiple benefits. They create a system “less prone to market shocks” and “improve resilience and energy security by diversifying power supply options,” BLM stated.

The government first proposed ending new coal leasing on federal lands and underground mineral reserves in the Powder River Basin in May after finding that continued coal leasing in the area would result in significant consequences to the climate, public health, and the environment.

“Coal has powered our nation for many decades, but technology, economics, and markets are changing radically,” Paula Antoine, chair of the Western Organization of Resource Councils board, said in May. “BLM’s announcement recognizes that coal’s era is ending, and it’s time to focus on supporting our communities through the transition away from coal, investing in workers, and moving to heal our lands, waters, and climate as we enter a bright clean energy future.”

Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), said at the time that the “short-sighted” plan would kill jobs and could cost Wyoming hundreds of millions of dollars that are typically used to pay for public schools, roads, and other essential services in our communities.

In a Nov. 27 statement, Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte reiterated, in part, Barrasso’s comments and said the federal government is “ignoring states and crippling our energy supply.”

“Simply put, this rule will destroy coal jobs and defund public education in Montana. It’s a disaster,” Gianforte said. “I look forward to a day when states across the country have a federal partner we can work with, instead of having an administration ignore and undermine states at every turn.”

The Epoch Times contacted the White House for comment but received no reply by publication time.