The US Department of the Interior (DOI) has approved a significant expansion of the Bull Mountains coal mine in Montana, a move that aligns with President Donald Trump’s energy emergency directives.
This approval allows Signal Peak Energy to extract an additional 22.8 million tonnes (mt) of federal coal and 34.5mt of non-federal coal, potentially extending the mine’s lifespan by up to nine years.
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The Bull Mountains mine, situated in Musselshell and Yellowstone Counties, is a major employer with more than 250 workers.
It plays a critical role in supplying energy exports to US defence allies such as Japan and South Korea.
The expansion is projected to contribute more than $1bn in economic benefits including wages, taxes and local business activity.
Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum said: “This is what energy leadership looks like. By unlocking access to coal in America, we are not only fuelling jobs here at home, but we are also standing shoulder-to-shoulder with our allies abroad.
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By GlobalData“President Trump’s leadership in declaring a national energy emergency is allowing us to act decisively, cut bureaucratic delays and secure America’s future through energy independence and strategic exports.”
The DOI completed an environmental impact statement and issued a record of decision, adhering to alternative arrangements for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
These arrangements were implemented following the national energy emergency declared by President Trump on 20 January 2025.
The environmental impact statement for the project includes a comprehensive analysis, exceeding the requirements of NEPA.
This thorough approach is in response to the precedent set by the US Supreme Court in the case of Seven County Infrastructure Coalition v. Eagle County, Colorado.
The decision to expand the Bull Mountains mine followed a robust public participation process.
The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement led this initiative, which included a public meeting, two rounds of public comments and the analysis of 667 individual submissions.
In addition to the mine expansion, the US DOI has also announced a $130m investment in coal production for the fiscal year 2025.
This funding, part of the Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalisation Program, aims to transform former coal mining sites into engines of economic growth and job creation, with a particular focus on regions historically reliant on coal mining.
