Montana eyes cashing in on 1.2 billion tons of coal

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By The Associated Press

Story Published: Jul 5, 2009 at 6:43 PM MDT

Story Updated: Jul 5, 2009 at 6:43 PM MDT

LAME DEER - Montana officials are on track to seek bids this fall to mine a massive reserve of state-owned coal near the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation, a deposit with enough fuel to power the country for a year.

Experts describe the Otter Creek reserve as world class: more than 1.2 billion tons of coal massed beneath the rolling hills of the Powder River Basin near Ashland.

Supporters of mining say it could bring hundreds of jobs to the impoverished Northern Cheyenne. Standing in the way are rising concerns over climate change; and worries among some Northern Cheyenne that a mine would industrialize their homeland.

After recent public hearings, the Montana Land Board, chaired by Gov. Brian Schweitzer, a strong coal advocate, is to decide in September whether to seek out companies to mine the reserve.

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