Wyoming politicians react to Black Butte Coal Company layoffs

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (Wyoming News Now) – 19 employees are being laid off from Black Butte Coal Company just weeks before the holidays. Governor Mark Gordon, as well as Senator Cynthia Lummis have issued statements reacting to the issue.

Governor Gordon’s statement reads as follows:

“It is disheartening and disappointing to have the Black Butte Mine lay off employees, at any time, but this is particularly troubling as we enter the holiday season.  This layoff is directly linked to the Biden Administration’s refusal to approve the mine expansion application, which has been languishing before the Department of the Interior and the Office of Surface Mining and Environmental Enforcement  (OSMRE) for years.  I brought this to the attention of Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and the Acting Director of OSMRE in April, and talked to Secretary Haaland in November about the possibility of layoffs. The mine has gone through rounds of environmental reviews and Interior continues to throw up additional paper obstacles.

Let’s be clear.  This is about coal.  That coal could be used at the Jim Bridger Power Plant as part of their plan to use carbon capture.  We just learned that part of the rate increase requested by Rocky Mountain Power was due to the price of coal, gas and renewables — clearly there must be a demand for coal for power.  Yet, the Department of Interior prefers to lay off Wyoming workers rather than allow the mining of additional coal reserves within an already existing permit.

Fortunately, Wyoming does care. The Department of Workforce Services (DWS)  is assisting those being laid off.  There is a Rapid Response event at 3:00 pm today at the Rock Springs Workforce Center at the White Mountain Mall,  2451 Foothill Boulevard, Suite 100.  DWS unemployment and vocational rehabilitation staff will be available. For those unable to make this event, DWS is available for 1:1 support.”

Senator Cynthia Lummis has also issued a statement. It reads as follows:

“Today, we are unfortunately witnessing the tragic reality of President Biden’s Green New Deal agenda and my heart breaks for the 19 Black Butte Coal Company employees losing their jobs. Their hard work keeps the lights and heat on in Wyoming during frigid winter nights and they deserve our gratitude,” said Lummis. “Seeing good people lose their jobs is tragic but what makes this situation particularly painful is the fact that it is a direct result of the Biden administration’s war on domestic energy production, and coal in particular. America needs coal, as evidenced by the fact it is the 3rd-largest energy source for the country’s grid, and Wyoming needs coal miners. My team is ready to help these workers and their families in any way we can.”

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