U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy, along with Representatives Troy Downing (MT-02) and Ryan Zinke (MT-01), announced that President Trump has signed their bill into law to reverse restrictions on mining in Eastern Montana. The new law repeals the Biden-era Miles City Resource Management Plan Amendment (RMPA), which had limited coal leasing in the region.
Senator Daines said, “Today marks a massive win for both Montana and the nation. Biden’s disastrous Miles City RMPA was an anti-coal rule that would’ve blocked future coal leasing on two million acres of land, stifled job growth and caused the loss of over $4.3 billion in future revenue to our state. But now, thanks to the hard work of our Montana delegation, Biden’s rule is repealed and Montana energy is back. Thank you President Trump for fighting for Made-In-Montana energy and for protecting America’s energy dominance.”
Senator Sheehy added, “Thanks to President Trump for signing this bill into law and putting an end to radical Biden-era regulations that put our resource economy on life support. Together, we are delivering the America First, commonsense policies Montanans voted for to achieve American energy dominance, create jobs, and make energy affordable, accessible, and reliable again.I’ll continue working alongside President Trump and the Montana delegation to unleash Montana’s resource economy, protect Montana jobs, and bring prosperity to rural Montana communities.”
Representative Downing commented on the broader impact: “Now more than ever, America needs affordable, reliable energy to fuel our new golden age. With the signing of my bill to permanently roll back burdensome restrictions on coal leasing for the nation’s largest deposit, we aren’t just meeting the demands of today, we’re ensuring that we can power our country’s future. We are also making sure that subsequent administrations cannot undo the good work of the current one, safeguarding American energy independence. I thank Senator Daines and the entire Montana Congressional Delegation for their leadership and look forward to seeing this legislation bring revenue and jobs back to the Treasure State.”
Representative Zinke stated: “This legislation will lower energy costs by unlocking Montana’s vast natural resources and brings security to the jobs of the hardworking men and women who mine in Montana. The Biden administration’s Miles City MRPA would have restricted coal leasing on over two million acres, driving up energy prices and costing Montana millions in revenue. Thanks to President Trump and our Montana delegation, that won’t happen. This is another success in the fight to make energy more affordable and protect the families who depend on it.”
The legislation reverses a policy enacted during President Biden’s administration that made nearly two million acres unavailable for coal leasing within the Miles City Field Office planning area and banned new coal leases in part of eastern Montana’s Powder River Basin. According to supporters of the bill, these restrictions would have led to significant losses in state revenue—over $4 billion—and affected jobs connected with mining activities.
Montana Governor Greg Gianforte has also expressed support for this legislative change.