To allow certain Federal minerals to be mined consistent with the Bull Mountains Mining Plan Modification, and for other purposes.
- Bill Number
- H.R. 931
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Energy
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-05-20: Subcommittee Hearings Held
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-11T23:26:37Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
H.R. 931 aims to authorize and expedite the mining of specific federal coal reserves in Montana, allowing operations to proceed under a previously approved mining plan modification without further delays or changes. This bill seeks to facilitate coal extraction on federal lands while streamlining federal approval processes.
Key Provisions
- Definition: The bill defines the "Bull Mountains Mining Plan Modification" as Amendment 3 to the mining plan for Federal Coal Lease MTM 97988 (Bull Mountains Mine No. 1), which was approved by the Department of the Interior on November 18, 2020.
- Authorization for Mining: All federal coal reserves under Lease MTM 97988 on the specified federal lands (approximately 800 acres in Musselshell County, Montana) are authorized to be mined in line with the Bull Mountains Mining Plan Modification.
- The land includes: the northeast quarter of section 8; the southwest quarter of section 10; and the west half plus southeast quarter of section 22, all in Township 6 North, Range 27 East, Montana Principal Meridian.
- Federal Approval Requirement: The Secretary of the Interior must approve the mining plan modification within 30 days of the bill's enactment, without any alterations or delays, to enable mining on the described lands.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This bill introduces a mandatory, expedited approval process for the mining plan modification, bypassing potential standard reviews or objections that might otherwise delay operations under the Federal Coal Leasing Amendments Act and related Department of the Interior regulations.
- It overrides any unresolved administrative hurdles by directly authorizing mining, which could limit the department's discretion in environmental or land management decisions for this specific lease.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The Department of the Interior (specifically the Bureau of Land Management, which handles coal leasing) will face a strict 30-day deadline for approval, potentially reducing bureaucratic flexibility but ensuring faster resource development.
- On Citizens: Local communities in Musselshell County, Montana, may see economic benefits from mining jobs and energy production, but there could be environmental concerns like habitat disruption or water quality issues from coal mining activities.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic federal land management and resource extraction.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Mining Operators: The holder of Federal Coal Lease MTM 97988 (likely a private coal mining company operating the Bull Mountains Mine) benefits from guaranteed access and reduced regulatory uncertainty.
- Federal Government: The Department of the Interior and its sub-agencies, which must comply with the approval mandate.
- Local Residents and Economy: Residents of Musselshell County and surrounding areas in Montana, who could experience job creation or environmental effects.
- Environmental and Conservation Groups: Potentially adversely affected, as the bill limits opportunities for further input on ecological impacts.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal Implications: The bill's directive to approve without modification may invite challenges under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), which typically requires environmental impact assessments for federal actions; this could lead to lawsuits arguing that the expedited process circumvents required reviews.
- Constitutional Implications: It raises questions about the balance between congressional authority over public lands (under Article IV of the Constitution) and executive branch management of federal resources, potentially testing separation of powers if seen as unduly interfering with agency discretion.
- Political Implications: The legislation supports fossil fuel development in energy-producing regions, aligning with interests in Montana's coal industry, but it may draw opposition from those prioritizing climate goals or land conservation, highlighting partisan divides on resource extraction policies.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2025-05-20: Subcommittee Hearings Held
- 2025-05-13: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.
- 2025-02-04: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 2025-02-04: Introduced in House
- 2025-02-04: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- To allow certain Federal minerals to be mined consistent with the Bull Mountains Mining Plan Modification, and for other purposes. — issued 2025-02-04 — PDF (2 pages)