Mine Plan for Spring Creek Coal Mine Approved
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), along with Congressmen Troy Downing (MT-02) and Ryan Zinke (MT-01) today applauded President Trump’s Department of the Interior (DOI) for its support of Montana mining jobs after DOI announced the approval of the federal mining plan for the Spring Creek Coal Mine in Decker, MT. This decision from the new administration comes after years of needless delays from Biden’s DOI and constant pushback from Daines and Zinke.
“The Spring Creek Coal Mine is a critical economic driver in Big Horn County and provides energy for the entire country. Biden bowed to radical environmentalists and crippled our coal production, but President Trump and Secretary Burgum are making good on their promises to unleash American energy. It is refreshing to have a President back in office that shares my goal of supporting made in Montana energy,” said Daines.
“This America First, commonsense decision is huge news for Montana that will protect Montana jobs – including good-paying union and tribal jobs – strengthen our economy, and enrich rural communities over the long-haul. Under President Trump’s Administration, we are unleashing our resource economy and making energy affordable, accessible, and reliable – securing a stronger future for Montana families,” said Sheehy.
“Today’s decision to approve the federal mining plan modification for Spring Creek Mine illustrates this Administration’s unwavering commitment to unleashing American energy. After years of foot dragging from Biden’s DOI, Big Horn County’s mining community can finally breathe a sigh of relief. I thank Secretary Burgum and his team for their expeditious review that will extend the life of the mine by sixteen years and my fellow delegation members for their hard work to Make Montana Mining Great Again,” said Downing.
“Approval for Spring Creek Mine is long overdue. The Biden Administration inappropriately held up the project, not because of the merits of the proposal but because of environmental zealots who want to control Montana’s land and resources. Today’s decision by President Trump and Secretary Burgum is a win for Montana workers and families. Nobody mines cleaner and more efficiently than we do in the USA, and Montana’s coal is some of the cleanest God put in this earth. The mine approval is a step in the right direction towards American energy dominance and ensuring that Montana’s resources are used to power the nation,” said Zinke.
Background:
Senator Daines has long been pushing to support the Spring Creek Coal Mine. In October 2024 he and Congressman Zinke sent a letter to Biden’s DOI urging them to approve the Spring Creek Mine Plan- read the letter HERE.
In 2024 he and Congressman Zinke sent a letter to Biden’s Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) calling for expedited review of Montana mines- read the release HERE.
Daines called out the Biden administration’s needless delays on reviewing Montana mine permits during a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee- watch his remarks HERE.
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Contact: Matt Lloyd, Rachel Dumke