Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen has filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration over its plan to halt federal coal leasing in the Powder River Basin, a region responsible for 85% of coal production on federal lands. Knudsen argues the decision will devastate Montana’s coal industry and harm the state’s economy.
The lawsuit, filed in the United States District Court for the District of Wyoming, seeks to overturn the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) revised federal land-use plans, which Knudsen claims unlawfully disregard congressional directives. The suit cites the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA), the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and the Mineral Leasing Act (MLA), which mandate federal collaboration with states to manage public lands.
“The Biden administration’s plan will effectively kill our nation’s coal industry by halting new federal coal leasing in the Powder River Basin,” said Knudsen. “In Montana, we need coal – it fuels our economy and heats our homes in the winter in subzero temperatures. Rather than do what is best for Montanans and constituents across the country, Biden is catering to radical environmentalists.”
This marks the 59th lawsuit filed by Knudsen against the Biden administration, as he continues to challenge federal policies he sees as overreaching and detrimental to Montana’s interests.
The Powder River Basin spans parts of Montana and Wyoming and is a critical hub for coal production, supplying energy across the United States. Montana’s coal industry contributes significantly to local economies, providing jobs and supporting infrastructure in rural communities.
Knudsen’s lawsuit calls on the court to vacate the BLM’s federal land-use plans, restoring previous coal leasing policies and ensuring compliance with established laws requiring federal-state collaboration.
The Biden administration’s move to halt federal coal leasing is part of broader efforts to transition the nation away from fossil fuels and combat climate change. However, critics argue such measures disproportionately impact states like Montana, where coal remains a cornerstone of the economy and a vital energy source.
The legal battle is expected to draw national attention as it highlights the ongoing tension between federal environmental policies and state-level economic priorities.
Click here to read the lawsuit.
