The federal government has created a program that’s ripe for corporate abuse while endangers rural communities on the taxpayer’s dime. By Claire Deuter and Sarah Hunkins Carbon capture and sequestration projects have been proposed throughout the country at an increasing … Continued
With no market demand for coal, why does the BLM want to resume leasing in the Powder River Basin? by Lynne Huskinson, WORC board member The Trump administration has been fixated on resuscitating the coal industry, long in steep decline. … Continued
Our best hope for turning our country around lies in rural grassroots organizing. We have to step it up. By Dr. Barbara Vasquez, WORC board chair In my lifetime, there have been few national events that have saddened me more … Continued
A full-scale assault threatens to turn public lands over to fossil fuel companies and deny us the right to defend our communities and the places we love and depend on. By Dr. Barbara Vasquez, WORC Board Chair I live in … Continued
Despite energy markets rapidly moving toward cleaner, cheaper sources, the Trump administration is steering in the opposite direction. On April 8th, President Trump signed an executive order aimed at expanding coal leasing on public land and minerals. The EO directs … Continued
This decision, after years of outcry from local residents and litigation, will protect communities, air, water, and the climate from the harms of mining and burning six billion tons of highly polluting coal. On May 16th, 2024, the Biden administration … Continued
Above: Coal ash at the generating plant in Colstrip, Montana, is kept in water-filled ponds. 91% of coal ash ponds around the U.S. leak into local aquifers contaminating groundwater. After pressure from WORC members and allies, the Environmental Protection Agency … Continued
Above: an “orange cloud,” toxic gasses sometimes created when blasting overburden in coal strip mines, drifts on the breeze, endangering communities downwind. WORC members living near coal mines applaud a decision by the Office of Surface Mining to again allow … Continued
New Forest Service proposal intends to allow companies to build dangerous carbon pipelines and injection sites on public lands for permanent storage of carbon dioxide. On December 22nd, 2023, WORC along with Dakota Resource Council (DRC), Northern Plains Resource Council … Continued
Montana rancher speaks describes how the current federal coal leasing program threatens western ranchers’ livelihoods and hurts other split-estate landowners.