Coal mine commits to flaring methane under settlement
Mountain Coal Co. has committed to burning off methane and toxic pollutants through flaring at its West Elk Mine in the upper North Fork Valley while it pursues pollution permits, according to a lawsuit settlement approved by a federal judge Tuesday.
The consent decree was approved by U.S. District Judge Raymond P. Moore and requires the company to control its methane and volatile organic compound pollution using flares, and in the meantime, obtain legally required pollution permits, conservation groups said in a news release. The agreement will expire after Mountain Coal, a subsidiary of Arch Resources, complies with the terms of its pollution permits for two years.
Patagonia Film Screening and Local Clean Energy Discussion
Please join us for a screening of Patagonia’s “We the Power” followed by a discussion with rural cooperative organizers from the Sierra Club and Western Colorado Alliance. Learn more about the opportunity we have to push for change as part of Tri-State’s ERP process and discuss what we can do together to help power our community with affordable, clean energy.
West Elk Royalty Rate Reduction
Gunnison County's public lands, waters, communities, and climate took a direct hit with the Biden administration's recent approval of royalty relief for the West Elk coal mine - a move that flies in the face of the administration's own climate agenda.