Federal Government Approves Another Coal Mine Lease in Wyoming -- The Fourth Approval in The Past Year for Coal Leases in the Powder River Basin

Talk about mixed messages: I thought it was the end of "coal" when this administration took office, but now we have a story of yet another Wyoming coal lease getting federal approval. Coal mine leases are being approved faster than off-shore oil leases.

Data points (some numbers rounded):

• The Bureau of Land Management has approved another estimated 220 million tons of coal to be mined in Wyoming's Powder River Basin
• The lease represents nearly 2,000 acres
• The lease should extend the life of the mine about 1.6 years
• The lease was applied for back in 2005 (under the Bush administration; approved under the Obama administration)
• Without additional coal leases, this particular mine would run out of coal in about 10 years
• Of course, it goes without saying (but I will say it anyway), the approvals are being contested by environmental groups
• This is the fourth approval in the past year for coal leases in the Powder River Basin

It does surprise me.

But then again, I assume the coal is being shipped on Warren Buffett's Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad. Locomotes are probably built by General Electric. The CEO of GE is the economic czar for the administration.

I forgot another reason. I was reminded of it by a comment that was sent in: coal is needed for coal-powered cars that the present administration wants to be commonplace in the near future.