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Wyoming is set to lose about $50 million a year 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, 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 would help “revitalize Wyoming’s coal sector.” But state lawmakers aren't convinced. They are worried about funding for schools, roads, and local governments and are urging 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 more than $3 billion per year, according to a report 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. His continued presence at the department comes after Hassen publicly announced his departure and is fueling speculation 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. “We’re worried that Tyler is going to take some action before he departs.”
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Regardless of your political affiliation—Republican, Democrat, Independent—public lands are part of who you are in the West.”
