WASHINGTON — The Department of the Interior announced its intent to prepare an environmental impact statement for a proposed mining plan modification by Black Butte Coal Company to access additional federal coal reserves in Sweetwater County, Wyoming.
The review is being initiated under the national energy emergency declared by President Donald J. Trump on Jan. 20, 2025. The project falls under Executive Order 14261, which directs federal agencies to support expanded coal development.
The Black Butte Mine has operated since 1977, providing thermal coal to the Jim Bridger Power Plant and supporting jobs across federal, state, and private lands. The proposed plan would allow development of Pits 10 and 15 under Federal Coal Lease WYW-6266, which is estimated to make available about 9.2 million tons of federal coal and would disturb approximately 450 acres. The mine is projected to continue through at least 2039.
The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement will complete the environmental review on an expedited 28-day timeline.
A virtual public scoping meeting will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. MDT on August 18, 2025. Participants may register to attend and comment via Zoom. A phone-in option will also be available at registration. The Meeting ID is 161 409 2798, with the passcode 114452.
Written comments must be submitted by August 21, 2025, through one of the following methods:
- Email: BlackButteEIS@tetratech.com (Subject line: ATTN Black Butte Mine EIS)
- Mail: ATTN: Black Butte Mine EIS c/o Charlie Kwak OSMRE Western Regions 5, 7–11 P.O. Box 25065 Lakewood, CO 80225-0065
For more information, contact NEPA Project Manager Charlie Kwak at (303) 236-4701 or ckwak@osmre.gov. TDD users may call 1-800-877-8339 during business hours.
Project updates and the Zoom registration link are available at https://www.osmre.gov/laws-and-regulations/nepa/projects.
Tagged with coal, mining