Joins members of Montana’s federal delegation in criticizing prohibition on future coal leases in eastern Montana.

Helena, MT – Governor Greg Gianforte released the following statement, alongside statements from U.S. Senator Steve Daines, Congressman Ryan Zinke, and Congressman Matt Rosendale, after the Biden administration released a new Resource Management Plan Amendment prohibiting future coal leases in eastern Montana through 2038.

“Every action taken by the Biden administration is driving up the cost of affordable energy and threatening the reliability of our electrical grid,” Gov. Gianforte said. “Affordable power generated by coal keeps the lights on in Montana and fuels manufacturing across the country and world. On May 16th’s announcement is nothing more than a gift to China and our adversaries and a slap in face to hardworking Montanans. Instead of prioritizing the ideological agenda of the far left, President Biden should prioritize the needs of American consumers and workers.”

In August, the governor submitted a letter to Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Director Tracy Stone-Manning and other agency officials as part of the public comment process for BLM’s Miles City Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement/Resource Management Plan Amendment.

The governor’s full letter to BLM officials may be viewed here.

The statements from the governor and members of the federal delegation may be viewed here.