The Bull Mountain mine, near Billings, is set to extend its operations by nine years, allowing the extraction of nearly 60 million tons of coal primarily for export to Asia. This move follows Trump's declaration of a national energy emergency, which enables the expedited review of energy projects like this coal mine, bypassing typical environmental scrutiny. Critics argue that this approach undermines public health and safety, as the mine's operator, Signal Peak Energy, has a record of violating various environmental regulations. The decision has sparked strong backlash from environmentalists, who warn of the expanding coal industry's negative impact on climate and local ecosystems. Meanwhile, lawmakers and energy experts continue to debate the reality of the declared energy emergency.

In addition to environmental opposition, the mine's operator had previously sought quicker approval from the federal government, which a federal judge dismissed last year. The government had initially planned to complete environmental reviews by May 2026 but expedited the process without further analysis, leading to increased scrutiny over the administration's commitment to upholding environmental laws.

Thus, this approval not only represents a pivotal moment for the coal industry but also raises critical questions about regulatory oversight and environmental stewardship during a key political period.

Hiroko Tabuchi covers pollution and the environment for The Times. She has been a journalist for more than 20 years in Tokyo and New York.