WYOMING – Governor Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke’s order (Secretarial Order 3348) that lifted the federal coal leasing moratorium. The order also halted work on the Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) initiated during the previous administration to revise the BLM’s federal coal program.
“I opposed the coal moratorium when it was instituted because the moratorium failed to take into account the world-class coal production and environmental stewardship occurring in Wyoming,” Governor Mead said. “I am pleased Secretary Zinke recognized that halting the federal coal program was not necessary for proper conservation stewardship. The moratorium harmed the nation’s energy security, the many who depend on coal power, and Wyoming’s economic and job opportunities.”
The governor also has a long history of strongly opposing the PEIS process. “Wyoming produces roughly 40 percent of the nation’s coal—80 percent of that comes from federal lands. Yet, BLM did not reach out to Wyoming beforehand to learn about the model conservation and production program occurring in our state,” he said.
Meanwhile, Rep. Liz Cheney followed up news of the order with an introduction of legislation that will ensure no future coal moratorium on federal lands can take effect without a joint resolution of approval from the United States Congress.
“Earlier this week, President Trump signed an Executive Order lifting the moratorium on coal leasing on federal lands. This was an important first step in repairing the damage done to Wyoming during the last eight years. Obama-era energy policies focused on destroying our fossil fuel industry, killing jobs and devastating communities across Wyoming,” Cheney said in a statement released today. “Yesterday, I introduced legislation to make sure that no future moratorium on coal leasing on federal lands can be imposed without Congressional approval. Wyoming coal is a national treasure. Our fossil fuel industry provides power, jobs and economic growth in Wyoming and all across the country.”
