Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities
** Federal tax break for coal will cost Wyoming $50 million per year
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Tuesday, August 19, 2025
Coal mine in Campbell County, Wyoming; Source: Wikimedia ([link removed])
Wyoming is set to lose about $50 million a year ([link removed]) thanks to tax breaks for the coal industry passed as part of the "Big Beautiful Bill." The bill lowered federal coal royalty rates by nearly half through 2034 ([link removed]) , which means companies will pay less for the coal they take out of the ground on federal lands.
Representative Harriet Hageman, who voted for the bill, said the royalty rate reduction ([link removed]) would help “revitalize Wyoming’s coal sector.” But state lawmakers aren't convinced. They are ([link removed]) worried ([link removed]) about funding for schools, roads, and local governments and are urging ([link removed]) Wyoming's congressional delegation to propose legislation that would shift a larger share of royalty revenues to the state.
Meanwhile, orders from the U.S. Department of Energy to save coal plants from retirement could cost ratepayers ([link removed]) more than $3 billion per year, according to a report ([link removed]) from Grid Strategies.
DOGE's Tyler Hassen still at Interior
Tyler Hassen, who led the so-called "Department of Government Efficiency" effort at the Interior, has yet to leave the department, according to reporting by E&E News ([link removed]) . His continued presence at the department comes after Hassen publicly announced his departure and is fueling speculation ([link removed]) that he’s planning to wrap up a major reorganization or downsizing effort before he leaves.
“Everyone knows that [Hassen] has been working on reorg charts and no one knows exactly what he’s doing,” an Interior employee told E&E News ([link removed]) . “We’re worried that Tyler is going to take some action before he departs.”
** Quick hits
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Permits, shuttles, and reservations: Demand for outdoor recreation booms in Nevada
Nevada Independent ([link removed])
Column: Billionaires to gate 1,700 acres and bulldoze historic orchard on Flathead Lake
Montana Dispatch ([link removed])
Federal funding for renewable energy is drying up. Tribes are training workers anyway.
Tribal Business News ([link removed])
Arizona, Nevada and Mexico will again get less Colorado River water in 2026
Associated Press ([link removed])
Trump’s ‘big beautiful bill’ will make it easier for oil and gas companies to drill on Utah’s public lands
Salt Lake Tribune ([link removed])
Colorado mountain towns saw a dip in tourism this summer. Where did those visitors go?
KUNC ([link removed])
Stone-Manning: The West is on fire as Washington fans the flames
Writers on the Range ([link removed])
“Keep Parks Public” tour stops in Tucson to push back against national park cuts
KGUN 9 Tucson ([link removed])
** Quote of the day
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” Regardless of your political affiliation—Republican, Democrat, Independent—public lands are part of who you are in the West.”
—Aaron Weiss ([link removed]) , deputy director of the Center for Western Priorities
** Picture This
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@keepparkspublic ([link removed])
TUCSON!! You really showed up for public lands!
Thank you to everyone who came out this morning and to our amazing partners @sonorandesertprotection ([link removed]) and @assoc_nationalparkrangers ([link removed]) for joining the fight to Keep Parks Public!
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