Montana coal mines must now cover employee pensions if they go bankrupt

Montana updated its rules for coal mining permits. Companies must now update their compliance information if they change ownership due to bankruptcy or reorganization. They also have to set aside money for employee pensions.

Mining companies often leave behind environmental damage and unpaid obligations when they go bankrupt. These new rules try to make sure that employee pensions are covered, even if the company fails. This shifts some of the financial risk from workers and taxpayers back to the companies themselves.