Central ND News

Senator John Hoeven has announced the successful approval of a new federal mine plan for Coyote Creek Mine in Zap, North Dakota. The approval allows for the development of two tracts of federal coal located under private surface acreage. The federal coal lease was awarded in 2020 by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) after an environmental assessment (EA). However, delays ensued in 2022 when the Biden administration determined that a supplemental EA was necessary before a mine plan could be issued, posing a risk to the coal supply for Coyote Creek Station.

In response to these delays, Senator Hoeven worked diligently to expedite the process and secure approval of the federal mine plan. Hoeven engaged with Department of the Interior officials, including Deputy Secretary Tommy Beaudreau, Acting Deputy Secretary Laura Daniel-Davis, and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Steve Feldgus, to prioritize the approval.

Senator Hoeven emphasized the importance of this regulatory approval for the future operations of Coyote Creek Mine and Coyote Creek Station, stating, "This regulatory approval is key to the future operations of Coyote Creek Mine and Coyote Creek Station." He further highlighted the significance of coal as an essential baseload power source for the stability of the electrical grid, expressing concerns over regulatory delays affecting the utilization of this critical energy resource.

Hoeven's efforts to secure approval for the federal mine plan align with his broader objective of advocating for coal's role in the nation's energy mix and ensuring certainty for North Dakota's coal producers. The approval of BNI's federal mine plans for Center mine in the previous year also reflects Hoeven's commitment to supporting the coal industry in the region.

Today's announcement marks a significant milestone in Senator Hoeven's endeavors to uphold coal's importance in the energy sector and address challenges posed by regulatory hurdles.