Montana wants to let coal mines fix small problems without official review

Montana is proposing a rule change that would let surface mining companies correct minor maintenance issues without formal state approval. This means companies could make small repairs or adjustments to their operations more quickly, without waiting for regulators to sign off.

For decades, every change at a mine, no matter how small, often required a formal review process. This could slow down operations and increase costs for companies. If approved, this change would give mining companies more autonomy over their day-to-day operations, potentially speeding up minor repairs and reducing administrative burdens.