POINT OF ROCKS — The Department of the Interior announced Tuesday it is accelerating a federal review of Black Butte Mine expansion in Sweetwater County, setting a 28-day timeline for completing an environmental impact statement that typically takes years to finish.

The proposed plan would allow development of Pits 10 and 15 under a federal coal lease unlocking an estimated 9.2 million tons of federal coal. The mine is projected to continue through at least 2039.

The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement will complete the environmental review in just 28 days using authorities established under the national energy emergency declaration.

Steve Gili, general manager of the Black Butte Coal Company, said the accelerated review represents progress for the long-stalled project

See Full Page