WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement announces its finding of no significant impact and approval of a post-mining land use change from livestock grazing to industrial for a linear corridor of approximately 57 acres of federal lands at San Juan Mine, in New Mexico.
Operated by Westmoreland Mining, LLC, San Juan Mine operated as a surface coal mine from August 1973 to September 2022. Today, Westmoreland is exclusively reclaiming mined areas.
San Juan Solar 1, LLC, a company separate from the mine, constructed a 1,100-acre solar facility as well as a continuous 345-kilovolt overhead power transmission lines through the current mine boundary to connect the solar facility to a working electrical substation owned by the Public Service Company of New Mexico.
Modification of the post-mining land use from livestock grazing to industrial at San Juan Mine supports the Trump-Vance administration’s priority of advancing American energy independence and ensuring the responsible stewardship of the nation’s public lands and resources.
For more information, https://www.osmre.gov/programs/regulating-active-coal-mines/federal-lands