Federal Approval of Rosebud Mine Expansion Exposes Washington’s Failed Energy Priorities

The recent approval by the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) to expand Montana’s Rosebud coal mine highlights a critical tension between protecting national energy interests and navigating burdensome federal regulations.Spanning nearly 1,900 acres, this expansion unlocks an access to 34 million tons of federal coal—fuel vital to Montana’s largest power plant in Colstrip. This decision reflects the Interior Department's stated aim to support “energy independence, rural prosperity and permitting certainty.” Yet it comes after years of delay caused by activism-fueled court battles and regulatory hesitance that have put jobs and local economies on hold.Is Washington Putting Politics...