Coal news and updates

Fischer part of effort to keep coal mine open

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer joined Senators from Colorado and Wyoming asking the Secretary of the Interior to take action to protect a Colorado coal mine from closure. The Colowyo Mine is a primary coal source for a Tri-State electric plant in Craig, Colorado, which in turn provides electricity to cooperatives throughout the Panhandle.

In the letter, the group says the mine has all the necessary permits and has complied with regulations, and asks Secretary Sally Jewell to intervene and prevent the mine from unnecessary closure. A federal court recently ruled the plan for the mine approved by the Interior Department’s Office of Surface Mining did not comply with the National Environmental Policy Act.

The electric cooperatives that could be affected include Chimney Rock Public Power District in Bayard, Midwest Cooperative Corporation in Grant, Northwest Rural Public Power District in Hay Springs, Panhandle Rural Electric Membership Association in Alliance, Roosevelt Public Power District in Scottsbluff, and Wheat Belt Public Power District in Sidney.

Fischer says without coal resources from the Colowyo mine, production costs will skyrocket and be passed on to consumers.

source: http://www.kotatv.com