U.S. Senator Steve Daines criticized the Biden administration’s recent decision to prohibit new coal leasing in Montana’s Powder River Basin, following the publication of the Miles City Resource Management Plan (RMP) Record of Decision. The move effectively designates 1,745,040 acres of federally managed land in the Miles City Field Office area as unavailable for coal leasing, ending future opportunities for development in the region.
Daines described the decision as part of a broader pattern of actions by the administration that he argues undermine Montana’s energy sector and economic stability.
“At every turn, the Biden administration has launched attack after attack on made-in-Montana energy,” Daines said, emphasizing the significance of coal mining to Eastern Montana’s economy and its role in supporting national security, the energy grid, and high-paying jobs.
In response, Daines announced plans to introduce legislation aimed at reversing the decision, calling it a “wrongheaded” effort to appease environmental groups.
The Powder River Basin, rich in coal reserves, has long been a hub for mining operations, providing economic benefits and energy resources to Montana and beyond. The RMP decision represents a significant shift in policy, aligning with the administration’s broader focus on transitioning to renewable energy sources but drawing criticism from coal-reliant communities and industries.
The move also reflects ongoing tensions between federal climate goals and local economic priorities, as Montana leaders continue to advocate for policies they believe will sustain jobs and energy production in the region.
