BLM report: Improve antiquated coal fees and oversight

January 11, 2017 by Laura Lundquist

The Bureau of Land Management should not only require a better return on coal leases for U.S. taxpayers but also work harder to balance coal production against the growing threat of climate change, according to a new Department of the Interior report.

On Wednesday, the BLM released an exhaustive report on the federal coal program, which applies to the 570 million acres of coal mineral estate owned by the federal government. In short, it calls for both government and industry to use better business practices, both financial and technical, than those that were available or allowed more than 30 years ago.

Mining company, BNSF put Tongue River Railroad on hold

November 25, 2015 by Laura Lundquist

A few weeks after Arch Coal indicated that it might declare bankruptcy, a subsidiary transportation company has asked that the permitting of the Tongue River Railroad be suspended.

On Tuesday, the Tongue River Railroad Company asked the U.S. Surface Transportation Board to suspend the permitting process for a rail spur that would allow Arch Coal to ship coal from the proposed Otter Mine to Colstrip and points west, according to a company release.

More groups oppose coal as international demand drops

November 17, 2015 by Laura Lundquist

Hunters, wildlife advocates, religious leaders and those concerned about climate change have one thing in common: they don’t like environmental destruction caused by coal. But economic factors rather than protests will probably be coal’s undoing.

Plan could halt negative effects of climate change in Montana and the world

August 03, 2015 by Laura Lundquist

I have returned refreshed, but my trip did nothing to reduce my concern over what climate change is doing to Montana and the planet.

I hiked in on the Rocky Mountain Front south of Glacier National Park near Dupuyer. We had high temperatures of mid-80s going in and the heat increased each day. But the 90-plus temperatures that Montana has endured since June have already taken their toll.