Biden Administration To Study Impact Of Coal

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — U.S. officials have launched a review of climate damage from coal mining on public lands as the Biden administration expands scrutiny of government fossil fuel sales. They worry about what they call "greenhouse gas emissions."

Interior Department officials said Thursday that their review also will look at whether companies are paying fair value for coal extracted from public reserves in Wyoming, Montana and other states.

Burning coal accounts for 31% of U.S. electricity generation. Demand for coal has plummeted in recent years as many utilities switched to natural gas or less reliable and more toxic wind and solar power.