Big Sky Times

Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte voiced concerns over potential adverse economic repercussions that could resonate not only within the state, but also throughout the broader region.

In a formal correspondence directed to officials of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Gianforte urged the Biden administration to reconsider these amendments, contending that they carry the risk of undermining coal production, diminishing funding allocated for public schools and unsettling the stability of the energy grid. 

Central to his argument is the pivotal role that affordable power generated from coal plays in guaranteeing a dependable energy supply, both on a national and international scale.

"Affordable power generated by coal keeps the lights on in Montana and fuels manufacturing across the country and world," Gianforte said in a press release.

At the heart of this discourse are the proposed amendments to BLM's Miles City Field Office's ongoing efforts to formulate a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) and amend the Resource Management Plan (RMP). This comprehensive endeavor encompasses an expansive stretch of BLM-administered lands spanning 2.7 million acres, in addition to federal minerals covering 11.9 million acres in the eastern reaches of Montana. These amendments are necessitated by legal challenges that arose in response to preceding Resource Management Plans.

The SEIS takes into consideration a multitude of factors, ranging from air quality and greenhouse gas emissions to economic implications and equitable environmental considerations.

The culmination of these processes — the SEIS and RMP Amendment — will shape the trajectory of land and resource management pursued by the Miles City Field Office in the years to come. Notably, the BLM Miles City Field Office has meticulously revisited and updated the Reference Federal Development (RFD) scenario to reflect coal resource development projections grounded in ongoing surface mining operations, with a specific focus on the Spring Creek Mine and Rosebud Mine. These forecasts meticulously account for coal production from a blend of state, federal and private sources, even integrating the potential closure or conversion of power plants into their assessments.

Drawing from the revised RFD scenario, estimations suggest that approximately 2,710 acres tied to pending federal lease applications at Spring Creek Mine could experience disturbance over the mines' operational lifespan, potentially yielding around 337.9 million tons of federal coal extraction. Meanwhile, operations at Rosebud Mine are anticipated to remain within the boundaries of their existing permits, devoid of any further expansion plans.

Gianforte's stance underscores the intricate interplay linking energy production, economic stability and environmental considerations in the context of Montana. As discussions and deliberations surrounding the Miles City Draft Supplement continue to unfold, stakeholders hailing from diverse sectors remain eager for the final verdict on these proposed amendments, understanding the magnitude of their potential repercussions, which span far and wide.