skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Thursday, April 25, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Louisiana teachers' union concerned about educators' future; Supreme Court hears arguments in Trump immunity case; Court issues restraining order against fracking waste-storage facility; Landmark NE agreement takes a proactive approach to CO2 pipeline risks.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Speaker Johnson accuses demonstrating students of getting support from Hamas. TikTok says it'll challenge the ban. And the Supreme Court dives into the gray area between abortion and pregnancy healthcare, and into former President Trump's broad immunity claims

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

The urban-rural death divide is widening for working-age Americans, many home internet connections established for rural students during COVID have been broken, and a new federal rule aims to put the "public" back in public lands.

Expert: Changing Coal Markets Shortchange Montana

play audio
Play

Tuesday, August 20, 2013   

BILLINGS, Mont. - Nearly 5 billion tons of federal coal is in some phase of leasing or sale in the Powder River Basin, with much of it being offered to export markets. It could be a golden opportunity for Montana to beef up revenues, but according to a coal market expert speaking today in Billings, federal leasing programs are in need of updates. Tom Sanzillo, director of finance for the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, wrote a report detailing how the program has missed out on up to $30 billion for taxpayers over the years, and half of that would have gone to states and local governments.

His report covers "the changes going on in the coal market right now, and how the federal program which manages the coal in Montana and Wyoming is essentially shortchanging Montana and Wyoming," Sanzillo declared.

Sanzillo said export income is exempted from the calculation for royalties, and he calls that a "bad idea" as more and more coal is exported. He said royalty calculations could be easily updated to reflect market conditions. He also accused the U.S. of selling coal below fair market value, and federal law requires fair market valuations.

"Enforce the laws for the benefit of the United States taxpayer," he urged. "Right now, the laws are enforced more for the benefit of the coal producers."

Sanzillo is speaking tonight at the Home on the Range, and addressing lawmakers at the Capitol in Helena at 2 p.m. Wednesday. He'll be joined by Professor Mark Squillace, director of the Natural Resources Law Center at the University of Colorado Law School.

Sanzillo and Squillace speak at 5:30 p.m. today, Home on the Range, 220 S. 27th, Billings. They speak with lawmakers Wednesday in Room 152 at the Capitol in Helena. Sanzillo's report is at WORC.org.


get more stories like this via email

more stories
Rep. Crystal Quade, D-Springfield, the House Democratic floor leader, called Missouri politicians "extremist" on social media after they passed the most restrictive abortion ban in the country and defunded Planned Parenthood. (Fitz/Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

The Missouri Legislature has approved a law to stop its Medicaid program, known as MO HealthNet, from paying Planned Parenthood for medical services …


Environment

play sound

A round of public testimony wrapped up this week as part of renewed efforts by a company seeking permit approval in North Dakota for an underground pi…

Social Issues

play sound

Air travelers could face fewer obstacles in securing a refund if their flight is canceled or changed under new federal rules announced Wednesday…


The Iowa Movement for Migrant Justice calls Senate File 2340 a "ridiculous stunt," passed in an election year "to mobilize voters using fear and anti-immigrant sentiment." (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

Advocates for immigrants are pushing back on a bill signed by Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds in the last few days of the legislative session, modeled on a …

Environment

play sound

An environmental group is suing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect the Arkansas mudalia snail under the Endangered Species Act. In …

Currently, more than 2.7 million Californians live within 3,200 feet of an operational oil well. (MSPhotographic/Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

Leaders concerned about pollution and climate change are raising awareness about a ballot measure this fall on whether the state should mandate buffer…

play sound

A coalition of climate groups seeking cleaner air at the rail yards and ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach will hold a "die-in" rally tomorrow at Los…

Health and Wellness

play sound

By Marianne Dhenin for Yes! Magazine.Broadcast version by Shanteya Hudson for Georgia News Connection reporting for the YES! Media/Public News …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021