Coal mine closes, Montana denies new owner permit [View all]

Montana's largest coal mine has been shut down over permitting issues with the state Department of Environmental Quality.

DEQ has denied an an operating permit to Spring Creek Mine owner Navajo Transitional Energy Company. The company has sent most of its 300 workers home until the dispute is resolved.

At issue is NTEC's tribal ownership. The company is entirely owned by the Navajo Nation, though not controlled by the tribe. DEQ is asking that NTEC waive sovereign immunity, allowing the tribe to be sued for issues arising at Spring Creek.

“We are shocked and disappointed that the State is taking this position and putting the future of Spring Creek at risk,” said Tim McLaughlin, NTEC chairman, in an announcement Thursday. “We have done everything in our power to ensure the State that we will operate under their laws, but we simply cannot consent to a full waiver of the rights preserved in our treaties — to do so would put the foundations of Indian Country at great risk.”

Read more: https://trib.com/business/energy/coal-mine-closes-montana-denies-new-owner-permit/article_49636b70-1c29-57a0-94fb-023792d209c4.html
(Casper Star Tribune)