Montana Lawmakers Fight Federal Coal Ban That Would Cut Mine Life by 27 Years

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Montana’s entire congressional delegation introduced a joint resolution Thursday to overturn the Bureau of Land Management’s 2024 Miles City Resource Management Plan Amendment, which prohibits new federal coal leasing on 1.7 million acres in eastern Montana.

The Congressional Review Act resolution, led by Senators Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy alongside Representatives Troy Downing and Ryan Zinke, seeks to nullify the BLM plan that took effect in November 2024.

“Energy security is national security, and Montana’s mining industry plays a vital role in ensuring America remains energy dominant,” said Daines. “The Miles City RMPA halts all future coal leasing in the region and will cause hardworking Montanans to lose their jobs.”

The BLM plan affects the Miles City Field Office planning area, which encompasses 17 eastern Montana counties and approximately 11.7 million acres of federal coal mineral estate. The agency selected what it termed the “no leasing” alternative after a federal court ordered new environmental analysis in 2022.

The decision threatens to eliminate decades of mining operations and associated employment across eastern Montana. Spring Creek Mine, which produces approximately 14 million tons of coal annually, would be forced to close in 2035 under the federal restrictions rather than continuing operations through 2062 as projected with additional federal leases.

Court Order Drove Decision

The BLM plan resulted from a federal court ruling in Western Organization of Resource Councils v. Bureau of Land Management, which found the agency violated the National Environmental Policy Act. The court specifically ordered BLM to complete new coal screening that considered no-leasing alternatives and to disclose public health impacts of burning fossil fuels.

BLM officials said the decision aligns with Biden-era Presidential Executive Orders on climate change and supported the Biden administration’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. The agency cited declining coal markets and the planned closure of domestic power plants as factors in the decision.

“The approved RMP amendment best attains the continuity of existing mining operations at the Rosebud Mine to 2060 and Spring Creek Mine to 2035, while reducing long-term degradation and risks to public health,” according to the BLM’s record of decision.

Impact on Active Mines

The plan does not affect existing federal coal leases, allowing current operations to continue. Two mines actively extract federal coal in the region: the Rosebud Mine, which has sufficient reserves through 2060, and the Spring Creek Mine, projected to operate until 2035.

Spring Creek Mine has two pending federal lease applications totaling approximately 1,400 acres with an estimated 168 million tons of recoverable coal. The mine also anticipates needing an additional 170 million tons in future leasing.

However, the BLM decision means no new federal coal leasing applications will be accepted in the planning area, potentially limiting future expansion beyond existing lease boundaries.

Political Response

The congressional delegation framed the issue as both an economic and energy security concern.

“It’s time to put an end to the Biden-era, job-killing, environmentalist mandates,” said Sheehy. “Montanans voted to make America energy dominant so we can bring down prices for families and boost real wages for the hardworking Americans who keep our economy running.”

Downing emphasized the regional economic impact: “Montana’s Second Congressional District keeps the lights on in the Treasure State. Under the Biden Administration, Montana energy production took a direct hit when an outright ban on coal leasing in the Powder River Basin went into effect. I’m proud to lead this CRA in the House to reverse this disastrous management plan amendment that threatens access to affordable, reliable energy and investment in the communities I represent.”

Zinke highlighted coal’s role in emerging energy demands: “Our economy and people have always relied on Montana’s clean coal and that is only going to increase with the advancement of AI, data centers and population growth.”

Market Conditions

The BLM’s analysis noted significant changes in coal market conditions since previous planning efforts. The agency projected declining national coal production, from over 610 million tons in 2022 to 450 million tons by 2040, driven by power plant retirements and conversions to natural gas—trends that coincided with federal climate policies under the Biden administration.

All five of Spring Creek Mine’s current domestic energy customers have announced plans to close or convert by 2035, according to the BLM analysis. The mine also serves international markets, with approximately 30-40% of production exported to Asia through Vancouver, British Columbia.

Legislative Process

The Congressional Review Act allows Congress to overturn federal agency rules through a joint resolution that requires only a simple majority in both chambers. If passed and signed by the president, the BLM rule would “have no force or effect,” according to the resolution text.

The Government Accountability Office confirmed in June 2025 that the BLM plan qualifies as a “rule” under the Congressional Review Act, clearing the way for congressional action.

The resolution now moves to committee consideration in both chambers, with the unified Montana delegation positioning it as a priority for the new Congress and Trump administration’s energy agenda.