Sheehy Statement on Spring Creek Mining Plan Approval

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Tim Sheehy (R – Mont.) today issued the following statement after the U.S. Department of the Interior announced the approval of a federal mining plan modification for Spring Creek Mine in Big Horn County, which secures hundreds of good-paying jobs for more than a decade in Montana.

“This America First, commonsense decision is huge news for Montana that will protect Montana jobs – including good-paying union and tribal jobs – strengthen our economy, and enrich rural communities over the long-haul. Under President Trump’s Administration, we are unleashing our resource economy and making energy affordable, accessible, and reliable – securing a stronger future for Montana families,” said Senator Sheehy.

 Background
Spring Creek Mine, operated by the Navajo Transitional Energy Company, is in Big Horn County, Montana, and employs 280 full-time employees. The approved plan extends the life of the mine by 16 years and allows for the production of approximately 39.9 million tons of federal coal. Spring Creek Mine coal is sold and combusted domestically to Washington, Arizona, Minnesota, and Michigan and overseas to Japan and South Korea.

The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) prepared an environmental impact statement following a 2021 U.S. District Court for the District of Montana ruling that deemed the initial analysis inadequate. The EIS evaluates the different mining alternatives and the impacts on people and the environment.

The record of decision and signed mining plan modification approval are available online athttps://www.osmre.gov/programs/regulating-active-coal-mines/federal-lands.