WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement announces the availability of the record of decision for the final environmental impact statement and approval of a federal mining plan modification for Spring Creek Mine, advancing American energy independence, fostering economic growth, and providing an affordable, reliable energy source.
Transitional Energy Company.
Spring Creek Mine, operated by the Navajo Transitional Energy Company, is in Big Horn County, Montana, and employs 280 full-time employees. The approved plan extends the life of the mine by 16 years and allows for the production of approximately 39.9 million tons of federal coal. Spring Creek Mine coal is sold and combusted domestically to Washington, Arizona, Minnesota, and Michigan and overseas to Japan and South Korea.
“OSMRE is focused on balancing the need for affordable, reliable energy while ensuring coal mining is done in a responsible way protecting people and land from adverse impacts of mining,” said OSMRE Deputy Director Glenda Owens. “Approval of the mining plan modification for Spring Creek will add to the diverse energy mix needed for reliable sources of energy while providing good-paying jobs.”
OSMRE prepared an environmental impact statement following a 2021 U.S. District Court for the District of Montana ruling that deemed the initial analysis inadequate. The EIS evaluates the different mining alternatives and the impacts on people and the environment.
The record of decision and signed mining plan modification approval are available online at https://www.osmre.gov/programs/regulating-active-coal-mines/federal-lands.
— OSMRE —
OSMRE carries out the requirements of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 in cooperation with states and Tribes. OSMRE’s objectives are to ensure that coal mining activities are conducted in a manner that protects citizens and the environment during mining, to ensure that the land is restored to beneficial use after mining, and to mitigate the effects of past mining by aggressively pursuing reclamation of abandoned coal mines. For more information, visit www.osmre.gov or connect with us through any of these social media channels: Facebook, Flickr, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and YouTube.