ROCK SPRINGS — The Department of the Interior will prepare an environmental impact statement for a proposal to allow Black Butte Coal Company to expand its access to coal reserves in Sweetwater County.

The mine, originally opened in 1977, provides coal to the Jim Bridger Power Plant. The proposal would allow development of two pits that would provide access to 9.2 million tons of coal while disturbing 450 acres of land. The department says Black Butte Coal plans to operate through at least 2039.

The proposal is being fast-tracked by the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement , and aims to complete the environmental review in 28 days. A virtual public scoping meeting will take place Aug. 18 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Attendees can register and comment through Zoom , with a pho

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