House Republicans Launch Drive to Restore Powder River Basin Coal Leases

With the adoption of a House resolution seeking to rescind the Biden administration’s termination of coal leases in Montana’s Powder River Basin, Rep. Harriet Hagemann (R-Wyo.) is calling for a similar measure to restore coal leases in the basin’s Wyoming span. “When the Powder River Basin turns off, so does America,” Hageman said from the floor during Sept. 3 debate on HR 104. “Energy security is national security. By restricting access to our own resources, it pushes America towards greater dependence on foreign nations, including our adversaries.” HR 104 “overturns the Biden Administration’s onerous Miles City Field Office RMPA [Resource Management Plan Amendment] that hamstrings coal production in the Treasure State, protecting Montana jobs and promoting domestic energy independence,” sponsor Rep. Troy Downing (R-Mont.) said in a Sept. 2 Facebook post....