Governor Greg Gianforte has urged Congress to support two joint resolutions aimed at overturning a Biden administration policy that threatens Montana’s coal industry and could cost the state’s public schools over $4 billion in future revenue.
In a letter to lawmakers, Gianforte expressed strong backing for Senate Joint Resolution 61 (S.J.Res.61) and House Joint Resolution 104 (H.J.Res.104), which seek to reverse the Bureau of Land Management’s amendment to the Miles City Field Office Resource Management Plan Amendment (RMPA).
“The RMPA is the result of a four-year attack on traditional, made-in-America energy by the previous administration,” Governor Gianforte wrote. “Instead of supporting American energy sources, the Biden administration left no stone unturned in its attempt to weaponize government against fossil fuels, like coal.”
The amended RMPA would remove more than 338 million tons of federal coal in Montana from leasing consideration and isolate all of Montana’s State trust land coal reserves, resulting in a loss of more than $4 billion in future revenue. These funds primarily benefit State trust land beneficiaries, including Montana’s K-12 public education system.
Highlighting the broader implications, Gianforte pointed to the impact on Montana’s coal production in the Powder River Basin, as well as concerns over energy reliability and national security.
“Electricity demand in western states is projected to grow more than 20 percent in the next 10 years, double the rate of growth projected only three years ago,” the governor noted, citing a recent report from the Western Electricity Coordinating Council. “New technological advancements, including artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies, will require a drastic increase in energy production and baseload power.”
Gianforte also recalled his participation alongside former President Donald J. Trump in April at the White House, where executive orders were signed to support Montana’s coal industry and designate coal as a critical mineral to boost production.
“Utilizing the Congressional Review Act to overturn the RMPA is another step in restoring American energy dominance and allowing Montana to meet current and future energy needs,” Gianforte wrote.
The resolutions were introduced on July 10 by Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) and Congressman Troy Downing (R-MT-2) as part of ongoing efforts to reverse policies seen as detrimental to Montana’s energy sector and economic future.
If Congress fails to act, the state stands to lose billions in revenue essential to funding schools and other trust beneficiaries — a loss that could have far-reaching consequences for Montana families and communities.
By: DNU staff