Montana mine expansion advances amid owner's bankruptcy
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — A major coal mine expansion in southeastern Montana received a preliminary green light from state and federal officials on Friday even as the mine's owner remains tied up in bankruptcy proceedings with plans to sell the property.
Officials released an 800-page environmental study of Westmoreland Coal Co.'s expansion of the Rosebud Mine expansion that clears the way for a final decision in coming months.
Westmoreland declared bankruptcy in October with more than $1.4 billion in debt amid declining demand for the heavily-polluting fuel. The Colorado-based company is one of the oldest coal companies in the U.S.