ND PSC approves Falkirk Mining revision with roughly $113 million reclamation estimate
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Summary
The North Dakota Public Service Commission approved Revision 44 to Falkirk Mining Company's surface coal mining permit (NAFK-8405), which updates operations and includes a worst-case reclamation cost estimate proposing a minimum bond of over $113 million; the commission recorded that Falkirk's current bonds total nearly $115 million.
The North Dakota Public Service Commission voted at a special meeting to approve Revision 44 to Falkirk Mining Company's surface coal mining permit (permit NAFK-8405, case RCD-24-261). Chair Randy Christman moved the order and staff recommended approval after review.
Randy Christman summarized that Falkirk's revision updates mining and reclamation plans for several township sections, adds mining plans for a pit cessation area, and updates legal, financial compliance, surface-water hydrology and transportation components of the permit. The revision was deemed significant and subject to public notice; Falkirk submitted affidavits showing publication in the McLean County Independent and the Bismarck Tribune for the required four weeks and no objections were filed.
The filing updated the worst-case reclamation cost estimate for the consolidated bond area and proposed a minimum bond amount of over $113,000,000. The record shows Falkirk's current bond instruments for that consolidated area total almost $115,000,000; the reclamation division recommended the proposed amount as sufficient. The commission approved the revision by voice vote.
The order adopts the reclamation division's review and updates the permit record. The commission's action is contained in the formal order for case RCD-24-261, which provides the administrative record for bond amounts, notices and the permit revisions.