Staff ReportsThe Biden administration continues its impressive streak of alienating American workers with a fresh attack on the coal industry; it’s practically a vaudeville act of political mismanagement. Just as the curtain is set to fall on his term, Biden settled on a grand finale move that leaves coal-dependent states, primarily populated by conservative voters, reeling from yet another regulatory body slam dunk.
The Bureau of Land Management, under the Biden umbrella, recently approved measures that will effectively shutter new coal leasing options in Wyoming’s Powder River Basin. This decision is not just a slap in the face to the coal industry, it’s a well-aimed middle finger. By blocking the leasing of an estimated 48.12 billion short tons of coal, the administration claims it’s making sacrifices to combat greenhouse gas emissions. One can’t help but wonder if this is truly about the environment or simply another attempt to push a green agenda that ultimately ignores the livelihoods of hardworking Americans.
As Trump prepares to reclaim the White House, the fallout from this latest move could lead to court battles that stretch on longer than a family road trip without bathroom breaks. Supporters of energy independence argue that this assault on coal comes at a time when families across the country are grappling with soaring inflation, a direct consequence of policies that have crippled the American energy sector. Trump transition team officials are already fuming, asserting that the re-election of the former president was a clear mandate to reverse Biden’s disastrous energy regulations and reignite affordable energy sources.
The Bureau of Land Management’s remark that the energy market is transitioning toward renewable resources is both amusing and misleading. While it’s true that natural gas is currently cheaper, that’s mainly because the government’s draconian restrictions on coal extraction have turned what was once a robust industry supporting working families into a pariah. Rather than embracing an “all-of-the-above” energy strategy, the Biden administration is behaving like a kid in a candy store, picking favorites while abandoning an entire sector of workers who have manufactured their livelihoods from coal.
Biden Tosses a Middle Finger Salute to the Coal Industry on His Way Out the Doorhttps://t.co/TlTApfYB9r
— PJ Media (@PJMedia_com) December 3, 2024
Numerous Republican leaders, including senators and governors, have rallied against this regulatory blitz. They point out that the ongoing onslaught against coal isn’t just a blip on the radar—it’s a concerted effort that risks jeopardizing national security, crippling local economies, and eliminating high-paying jobs. The claims of increased investment in renewable energy ring hollow when coal plants are closing left and right, paving the way for energy uncertainty while countries like China continue to expand their coal-fired power infrastructure.
The environmentalists are certainly celebrating this unfolding drama, but one can only hope they don’t forget the economic consequences that might just come back to haunt them. The left’s dream of a “bright clean energy future” contrasts starkly with the realities faced by those whose jobs depend on coal, which remains a crucial part of America’s energy portfolio. As the coal era faces an unwelcome end in the U.S., it begs the question: can America truly afford to turn its back on the very resources that have powered its growth for generations?
