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Rep. Downing urges passage of HR 931 and HR 725 to keep Signal Peak coal mine operating, restore Crow tribe revenue
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Summary
Representative Downing told the committee HR 931 would reopen specific federal tracts to provide about one year of coal to the Bull Mountains (Signal Peak) mine as a short-term measure, and HR 725 would enable a land exchange to provide long-term access and revenue sharing for the Crow tribe.
Representative Downing said Montana's Bull Mountains mine (Signal Peak), the state's only underground coal mine, faces closure because of permitting delays, regulatory limits and litigation. He described the economic consequences for workers and communities if the mine ceases operations.
Downing urged support for two bills: HR 931, a short-term measure he said would reopen specific federal tracts for mining and provide "enough coal to continue operations for another year" to prevent layoffs; and HR 725, the Crow Revenue Act, which he said would enable a land exchange to unlock additional federally owned coal reserves and restore a revenue stream to the Crow tribe lost after the Absaloka mine closure.
Downing said HR 725 would return revenue the tribe previously received and help fund tribal services and economic development. He framed the bills as a combined short-term and long-term solution to maintain jobs and tribal revenues. His testimony was part of the member-day hearing and did not result in a committee vote or formal action during that session.
