Posted inEnergy, News

Judge revives Obama-era ban on coal sales from federal lands

By Matthew Brown, The Associated Press BILLINGS, Mont. — A federal judge on Friday reinstated a moratorium on coal leasing from federal lands that was imposed under former President Barack Obama and then scuttled under former President Donald Trump. The ruling from U.S. District Judge Brian Morris requires government officials to conduct a new environmental review before […]

Posted inClimate, Energy, Environment, News

Environmental coalition sues Colorado over late air pollution permit for West Elk Mine

Colorado has missed by almost a year an air pollution permit deadline for the West Elk Mine near Paonia, a major Western Slope source of volatile organic compounds, n-hexane, methane and other pollutants, according to a lawsuit filed by a coalition of environmental groups.  Arch Coal-owned West Elk applied for an air pollution permit in […]

Posted inBusiness, Climate, Economy, Education, Energy, Environment, News, Politics and Government

Budgets fat with fossil fuel revenue at odds with climate-change goals in states like Colorado

By Morgan Lee and Mead Gruver, The Associated Press SANTA FE, N.M. — Government budgets are booming in New Mexico: Teacher salaries are up, residents can go to an in-state college tuition-free, moms will get medical care for a year after childbirth, and criminal justice initiatives are being funded to reduce urban violence. The reason […]

Posted inBusiness, Climate, Energy, Environment, News, Politics and Government

Craig, one of Colorado’s last coal towns, grapples with its future as its power plant and mine shut down

By Patty Nieberg, The Associated Press CRAIG — In a quiet valley tucked away from Colorado’s bustling ski resorts, far from his hometown in northern Mexico, Trinidad Loya found a way to support his family’s American dream: Coal. He, his son and grandson — all named Trinidad Loya — worked for the coal plant in […]