Feds fast-track coal mining expansion in southwest Wyoming

The Trump administration this week expedited approval of a southwest Wyoming coal mine’s expansion.

The Office of Surface Mining and Reclamation Enforcement completed its environmental review for the Black Butte coal mine plan in under 30 days, according to the Interior Department. Typically, a federal environmental review, which includes volumes of documents regarding environmental, socioeconomic and health impacts — along with public input — takes at least a couple of years.

The updated plan essentially allows for continued production at the mine that has been scooping coal west of Rock Springs since the late 1970s. It gives the mine access to an additional 9.2 million tons of federal coal — enough to maintain mining through 2039, according to federal documents.

“This is great news fo