Wyoming Delegation Introduces CRA to Overturn Biden Buffalo RMP

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Today, Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) led Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) and Representative Harriet Hageman (R-WY) in introducing a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution to overturn the Biden administration's Buffalo Resource Management Plan Amendment (RMPA), which is a direct assault on Wyoming's coal industry, our workers, and our way of life.

"The Biden administration waged an unrelenting war on Wyoming coal and American energy independence, and their radical Buffalo RMPA was a key piece for environmental extremists who want to destroy all coal mining in the Powder River Basin," said Senator Lummis. "Coal is the backbone of Wyoming's economy, it supports thousands of good-paying jobs, generates the revenue that funds our communities, and provides reliable, cheap electricity to Americans across our country. Biden's BLM left us no choice but to stop this dangerous overreach via the Congressional Review Act. I'll continue working with Senator Barrasso and Representative Hageman every day to stop the left's war on coal and make sure Wyoming is able to power America's future."

"On its way out the door, the Biden administration waged a war on Wyoming's coal communities and families," said Senator Barrasso. "They attempted to shut down all future coal leasing in Wyoming's Powder River Basin. This short-sighted assault on coal ignored the people of Wyoming and threatened to kill jobs and cost Wyoming communities millions of dollars. Rolling back this outrageous rule will help us build on our efforts with the Trump administration to unleash affordable, abundant and reliable American energy."

"The BLM's attempt to block future coal leasing in the Powder River Basin is a mineral withdrawal disguised as a management plan," said Representative Hageman. "This clear violation of the law would devastate jobs, local economies, and end our ability to provide affordable, reliable energy. The Biden administration, under the direction of its eco-terrorist BLM director, intentionally sought to cut off the source of over 40% of our nation's coal at a time when energy demands are greater than ever before. I am proud to join Senators Lummis and Barrasso to reverse these decisions of the past administration, to protect Wyoming and every American who relies on Wyoming coal."

"Protecting Wyoming's coal industry continues to be a high priority of mine. Using the Congressional Review Act is a perfect remedy for ensuring a radical Biden-era RMP amendment targeting the elimination of our Powder River Basin coal industry can never see the light of day," said Governor Gordon. "I appreciate the work of Senator Lummis, Wyoming's delegation, and their dedicated staff in moving this process forward, especially as the Trump Administration reviews a new and levelheaded amendment."

"Campbell County has always known the true value of coal - both to meet baseload demand for affordable, reliable energy and for other non-thermal uses that are emerging as important for the future," said the Campbell County Board of Commissioners. "We appreciate the unwavering support we have received from the Trump Administration and our entire congressional delegation to overturn the misguided decisions by the previous administration to eliminate future coal leasing in the Powder River Basin. With an estimated forty percent (40%) of the nation's coal-fired electricity being produced from the surface coal mines located in our region, successfully negating this Biden policy is seen as a positive and necessary first step toward ensuring access to coal, which is vital in meeting the country's energy demands and ensuring domestic security."

"The previous administration's resource management plans were a direct threat to reshoring mineral supply chains and meeting the soaring energy and mineral demand we know is coming," said Rich Nolan, National Mining Association president and CEO. "The resolution introduced by Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) and Representative Harriet Hageman (R-Wyo.) - which reinforces provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill and executive actions taken by the administration - restores common sense, allowing the government to once again responsibly meet its obligation to allow for economic activity on federal lands in Wyoming designated for multiple use. I applaud the Wyoming delegation for the introduction of this resolution and appreciate their continued efforts to benefit those living and working in Wyoming."

Background:

• The Congressional Review Act (CRA) will be used by Congress to disapprove of, and therefore overturn, the Biden issued RMPA.
• If passed in the House and Senate and signed into law, this would terminate the no leasing alternative, revert to the previous plan, and prohibit the BLM from issuing a substantially similar plan.
• Congress has 60 legislative days to pass it.
• The Biden BLM twisted the Federal Land Policy and Management Act to go after coal operations in the Powder River Basin - including the Buffalo RMP in Wyoming - in a way that flies in the face of what the law was meant to do.
• They cut out local input and implemented artificial restrictions on coal production under the cover of conservation.

Read the full Congressional Record text here.

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