Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities


** Largest federal coal sale in past decade brings in under one cent per ton
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Tuesday, October 7, 2025
The Eagle Butte Coal Mine in Wyoming's Powder River Basin; Source: Carol Highsmith, Library of Congress Collection ([link removed])

The largest federal coal lease sale in over a decade brought in just one bid ([link removed]) for less than a penny per ton, illustrating the futility of the Trump administration's efforts to revive the dying coal power industry. Federal officials did not immediately say ([link removed]) if they would accept the offer.

The Navajo Transitional Energy Company (NTEC) submitted the lone bid ([link removed]) to mine 167 million tons of coal on public land in southeastern Montana, offering just $186,000, roughly one-tenth of a penny per ton. The lease consists of 1,262 acres within the Powder River Basin. The last coal sale held by the Bureau of Land Management in the Powder River Basin brought in $1.10 per ton ([link removed]) , for comparison.
The BLM plans to hold another sale on Wednesday ([link removed]) in central Wyoming, where the government is offering 440 million tons of coal next to NTEC’s Antelope Mine.


Report details extent of fossil fuel influence at federal agencies

A new report from Public Citizen and the Revolving Door Project finds that the Trump administration prioritized hiring individuals with direct ties to fossil fuel companies ([link removed]) for positions charged with enforcing energy and environmental policy.

The report ([link removed]) finds that out of 37 Senate-confirmable nominees to three agencies—the Energy Department, Environmental Protection Agency, and Interior Department—25 had fossil fuel industry ties, while only 12 did not.


** Quick hits
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Trump approves appeal for Ambler Road project, reversing Biden administration’s rejection

Alaska Beacon ([link removed])

'Not sure what’s happening': National parks in limbo as shutdown drags on

The Guardian ([link removed])

Park rangers are worried about how visitors are 'helping' during the government shutdown

The Travel ([link removed])

This might be the most frustrating part of the government shutdown of national parks

San Francisco Chronicle ([link removed])

Not all national parks remain open in the shutdown. Here’s what to know

New York Times ([link removed])

Outcry as Trump plots more roads and logging in US forests

The Guardian ([link removed])

Feds sold 17,000 acres in oil and gas leases across Utah. Recreation advocates worry it’s 'tip of the iceberg'

Salt Lake Tribune ([link removed])

Wyoming sage grouse group to discuss future of species next week

Wyoming Public Media ([link removed])


** Quote of the day
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” We are getting more extreme storms and hurricanes, so having these roadless areas here with intact roots to absorb water as it comes in quickly is crucial... Without the roadless rule we will have more intense flooding events, the water quality would go down, fish species like trout would suffer, and the tourism dollars for local towns will be affected too.”

—Ellen Stuart-Haentjens, executive director of the Virginia Wilderness Committee, The Guardian ([link removed])


** Picture This
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@SierraClub ([link removed])
Trump and congressional Republicans have shut the government down. Our public lands haven’t been spared from its effects, with skeleton crews keeping them open.

How is the shutdown affecting your favorite public lands site? Let us know! [link removed] ([link removed])

📸: NPS

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