Coal Officials And Critics Faceoff In Gillette

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AP 8-13,2015

Coal industry officials and environmentalists are set to face off in Gillette over the federal government’s call for suggestions on how to make sure taxpayers are getting a fair return on public land coal production.

Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead and members of the state’s congressional delegation – all supporters of the coal industry – plan to attend.

Jonathan Downing is executive director of the Wyoming Mining Association. He says hiking coal royalties would raise electrical costs for consumers.

Jeremy Nichols of the WildEarth Guardians group’s Colorado office says he will urge the federal government to end its leasing program. He says global warming makes continued mining and use of coal untenable.

The hearing runs from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Campbell County Library.