The Department of the Interior has announced the approval of the mining plan modification for the Bull Mountains coal mine in Montana, a key step in advancing President Trump’s energy emergency directives and strengthening US energy partnerships abroad.
The action authorises Signal Peak Energy, LLC to recover approximately 22.8 million t of federal coal and 34.5 million t of adjacent non-federal coal, extending the life of the Bull Mountains Mine by up to nine years.
The mine, located in Musselshell and Yellowstone Counties, employs over 250 workers and supplies critical energy exports to US defence allies Japan and South Korea. The project is expected to generate over US$1 billion in combined local, state, and county economic benefits, including wages, taxes, and business activity.
The Department completed its environmental impact statement and issued a record of decision under newly established alternative arrangements for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act. These arrangements were adopted pursuant to the national energy emergency declared by President Trump on 20 January 2025. Notably, the Environmental Impact Statement contains significantly more analysis than is required under NEPA, given the US Supreme Court’s recent ruling in Seven County Infrastructure Coalition v. Eagle County, Colorado.
Adam Suess, Acting Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management, said:
“This decision reflects our commitment to balancing economic prosperity, national security, and environmental responsibility. The Bull Mountains project is proof that we can meet urgent energy needs, work with local communities, and uphold strong environmental standards.”
Read the article online at: https://www.worldcoal.com/coal/10062025/interior-approves-bull-mountains-mining-plan-modification/