Montana Energy Is Back: Senate Passes Bill Removing Harmful Biden-Era Regulation

Strategic Insights -

Montana's energy industry received a significant boost with the U.S. Senate's passage of a bill removing the Biden-era Miles City Resource Management Plan Amendment (RMPA), a regulation that stifled coal mining in eastern Montana and would have cost many jobs. The bill, supported by Montana's congressional delegation, aims to unleash Made-In-Montana energy and support the state's coal miners. This decision comes as a relief to Montana's economy, which relies heavily on coal mining for nearly a thousand well-paying jobs and contributes nearly $3 billion to the state's economy.

Key Takeaways:

  • The bill, introduced by Senator Steve Daines, removes the Biden-era Miles City RMPA, a regulation that made nearly 2,000,000 acres unavailable for coal leasing in the Miles City Field Office planning area.
  • The regulation prohibited new coal leasing in the Powder River Basin and would have caused the loss of over $4.32 billion in future revenue to State trust land beneficiaries.
  • The Montana congressional delegation, including Senators Daines and Sheehy, and Representatives Troy Downing (MT-02) and Ryan Zinke (MT-01), supported the bill to remove the "anti-coal rule" and support Montanas coal miners.
  • The resolution has widespread support, including from Montana Governor Greg Gianforte, who wrote a letter of support for the bill.
  • The bill now awaits President Trump's signature to become law, which would further help unleash Made-In-Montana energy and support the state's resource economy.
  • The resolution aims to create jobs, power America, and make Montana energy affordable, accessible, and reliable again.

Statistics:

  • Montana's economy relies heavily on coal mining for nearly a thousand well-paying jobs and contributes nearly $3 billion to the state's economy.
  • The Biden-era Miles City Resource Management Plan Amendment made nearly 2,000,000 acres unavailable for coal leasing in the Miles City Field Office planning area.
  • The regulation prohibited new coal leasing in the Powder River Basin and would have caused the loss of over $4.32 billion in future revenue to State trust land beneficiaries.
  • The bill has wide support, including from Montana Governor Greg Gianforte and Montana's congressional delegation.

Sources:

  • Montana's congressional delegation, including Senators Daines and Sheehy, and Representatives Troy Downing (MT-02) and Ryan Zinke (MT-01)
  • Montana Governor Greg Gianforte
  • White House Press Release (July 2025) - Read the release HERE.
  • Senator Daines statement from when the resolution passed the U.S. House of Representatives HERE
  • Daines and Downings video statement HERE
  • The Biden administrations Miles City Resource Management Plan (RMPA)