Washington, D.C. (July 29, 2015) - Today the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is holding the first of several "listening sessions" on the Federal Coal Program in Washington, D.C., thousands of miles from the western communities home to the bulk of federal coal. The stated purpose of the listening sessions is to have "an honest and open conversation" about increasing federal coal royalties that at current rates contribute billions annually to federal, state, and tribal coffers. The BLM plans on visiting some of the impacted communities out west next month.
Western Caucus Chairman Cynthia Lummis (WY-at large) issued the following statement in response:
"The BLM's decision to start its listening tour in Washington D.C. is to be expected," said Chairman Lummis. "The Obama White House prefers to roll out its proposals to friendly audiences in Washington far removed from impacted American communities. I welcome an honest and open conversation about federal coal policies, which should include a discussion of every Administration policy designed to keep coal in the ground, stifle momentum towards cleaner technologies, and deny Americans their most abundant, affordable, and reliable form of energy. The EPA's regulatory attacks will end jobs in coal country, east and west, and make all Americans pay more for less reliable electricity. As if this wasn't enough, the Administration now wants to slap a tax increase on the federal coal production that keeps American homes lit at night and people warm in the winter."
Additional information on the listening sessions:
- July 29, 2015, 1:00-4:00 pm EST. Washington, D.C.: South Interior Building Auditorium, 1951 Constitution Ave, NW, Washington, D.C. 20245
- August 11, 2015, 1:00-4:00 pm MST. Billings, MT: Hampton Inn, Lewis and Clark Conference Center, 5110 Southgate Drive, Billings, MT 59101
- August 13, 2015, 1:00-4:00 pm MST. Gillette, WY: Campbell County Library, 2101 4-J Road, Gillette, WY 82718
- August 18, 2015, 1:00 -4:00 pm MST. Denver, Colorado: Marriott Denver West, 1717 Denver West Blvd, Golden, CO 80401
- August 20, 2015, 1:00-4:00 pm MST. Farmington, NM: Courtyard Marriott, 560 Scott Avenue, Farmington, NM 87401
The meetings in Washington, D.C. and Denver will have a live stream option for people to participate remotely. The meetings can be accessed at www.blm.gov/live.