SB 235 would allow the Montana Land Board to extend the date for coal leases beyond their traditional 10-year term if the Board finds that it would be in the “best interest of the state.” The bill could result in a lease renewal for the Otter Creek coal tracts if Arch Coal fails to develop the mine at the end of its current 10-year lease. This also allows the State to forego revenue from a new lease.
[…] SB 235 (Sen. Tom Richmond, R-Billings) would allow the Montana Land Board to extend the date for coal leases beyond their traditional 10-year term if the Board finds that it would be in the “best interest of the state.” The bill could result in a lease renewal for the Otter Creek coal tracts if Arch Coal fails to develop the mine at the end of its current 10-year lease. This also allows the State to forego revenue from a new lease. This bill has a hearing in the Senate Natural Resources Committee on Wed., March 8th. […]
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[…] SB 235 – Arbitrarily Extending State Land Coal Leases […]
[…] SB 235 (Sen. Tom Richmond, R-Billings) […]
[…] proposed Otter Creek coal mine reared its ugly head once again at this legislative session. SB 235 (Sen. Tom Richmond, R-Billings) would have allowed the State Land Board to extend mining leases on […]