Staff Reports
The Biden administration has officially declared war on coal mining in Wyoming and Montana, effectively shuttering new mining operations in a move that can only be interpreted as a misguided attempt to save the planet and elevate climate change to a deity-like status. Not surprisingly, this latest edict from the Bureau of Land Management has triggered a flurry of outrage from Republican leaders in both states, who are scratching their heads trying to understand why the administration is hell-bent on crippling the coal industry that fuels a significant portion of the American economy.
The ruling, which stems from newly approved legislation to block fresh coal mining leases in the Powder River Basin, seems to ignore all logic while pandering to environmentalist zealots. The reasoning? A self-proclaimed need to curb greenhouse gas emissions, which, as it turns out, account for an incredibly tiny percentage of actual air pollution when compared to other industries. Instead of prioritizing energy needs, the Biden administration’s strategy seems to rest on a misguided belief that less coal means a cleaner planet and healthier citizens — as if switching off coal mines will magically eliminate the world’s carbon footprint.
Joe Biden is doing everything he can to cripple our supply of affordable, reliable energy on his way out the door. His decision to end future coal leases in the Powder River Basin is a disaster for Montana. https://t.co/z45eUWJtbU
— Governor Greg Gianforte (@GovGianforte) November 27, 2024
For those not familiar with the geography lesson, the Powder River Basin is a coal-producing juggernaut that stretches through northeast Wyoming into southeast Montana and accounts for around 40% of the nation’s coal supply. Somehow, amidst the administration’s grand vision of a greener America, these vast reserves — 48.12 billion short tons of coal, to be exact — are now relegated to being “too dangerous” for leasing consideration. It’s akin to throwing away a winning lottery ticket because someone somewhere is worried about the numbers on it.
Republicans in Wyoming and Montana weren’t shy in expressing their discontent. Wyoming’s Governor Mark Gordon slammed the decision as an egregious oversight of the energy needs that support his state and its communities. He pointed out the administration’s apparent selective amnesia when it comes to U.S. energy independence. It seems that while Democrats engage in a fairy tale about solar panels and wind turbines, the realities of energy needs and economic stability are being tossed into the coal bin of history.
Montana Governor Greg Gianforte took a similar stance, noting how this legislative move threatens not only coal jobs but also public education funding in his state. The absurdity of a White House choosing “winners and losers” in the energy sector is glaring. This strategy rewards a select few renewable energy companies while punishing the hardworking men and women in the coal industry, who are just trying to make a living.
Even Senator John Barrasso from Wyoming vowed to collude with President-elect Donald Trump to reverse this ill-conceived decision. He indicated that the American people, tired of Biden’s regulatory overreach, sent a strong message at the ballot box. Meanwhile, Senator Steve Daines of Montana is gearing up to introduce legislation aimed at dismantling the BLM’s recent regulation. Both senators are firmly in the fight to protect coal jobs and ensure that Montana’s energy resources continue to support the national grid while also providing high-paying local jobs.
The takeaway? While the Biden administration continues to push its climate agenda with all the fervor of a door-to-door salesperson, Republicans are readying themselves for a robust counter-offensive. The message is clear: coal is not only vital for energy production but also a cornerstone of local economies, and any legislation that aims to stifle it will meet fierce resistance from those who recognize its significance.
