House Passes Congresswoman Hageman’s Bill to Overturn Biden-Era Buffalo RMPA
Washington, D.C. - Today, the House passed H.J. Res. 130, which repeals the Biden-era Buffalo Field Office Resource Management Plan Amendment (RMPA).
Congresswoman Harriet Hageman (R-WY) introduced this joint resolution alongside Senators Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and John Barrasso (R-WY).
“The House’s passage of H.J. Res. 130 is a major win for Wyoming and for America’s energy security. The Biden administration’s Buffalo RMPA ended future coal leasing in Wyoming’s Powder River Basin, threatening thousands of jobs, undermining local communities, and jeopardizing affordable, reliable energy for millions of Americans,” saidCongresswoman Hageman. “Wyoming coal powers this country, and once this misguided, ideologically driven policy is overturned, we can better meet our nation’s growing energy demands.”
“The Biden administration repeatedly pursued ridiculous, expensive, Washington-driven agendas that prioritized radical environmental policies over American energy consumers. This Congressional Review Act is essential to undo their insane Buffalo Resource Management Plan Amendment, which was a last-minute plan from a lame duck administration to kill jobs in Wyoming and increase the cost of electricity. I'm so pleased that Representative Hageman has successfully navigated this through the U.S. House. I'll continue leading the fight with Senator Barrasso to advance it in the Senate and deliver it to President Trump's desk, where he will sign it and help us defend Wyoming's future energy dominance,” said Senator Lummis.
“I’m proud of the Wyoming delegation’s efforts to overturn the Biden administration’s assault on American energy and the West,” said Senator Barrasso. “As a result of Rep. Hageman’s strong work in the House, we’re one step closer to rolling back this outrageous rule.”
“This resolution will reinvigorate America’s coal industry by unlocking resource-rich lands in the Powder River Basin, protecting jobs, and generating much-needed revenues in rural Wyoming communities. Representative Hageman is an indispensable champion for American energy and common sense resource management,” said House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-AR).
“As Co-Chair of the Coal Caucus, I supported the passage of H.J. Res. 130. Repealing the Biden-era 'Buffalo Field Office Resource Management Plan Amendment' is essential to the future of America’s coal industry. Locking away millions of coal-rich acres cripples our ability to responsibly expand underground mining and maintain stable and affordable energy prices. Coal remains a foundational part of America’s energy strength, and we should fully harness the resources we have here at home to bolster our energy sector,” said Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV).
"Energy security is national security. The Biden administration’s decision to lock up 48 billion tons of clean American coal was reckless and dangerous for our domestic energy supply. Reversing it is a win for workers, our electric grid, and U.S. manufacturing. Pennsylvania and Wyoming may be hundreds of miles apart, but our states share a coal heritage and a clear understanding of what affordable, reliable energy means for the nation. As Co-Chair of the Coal Caucus, I support this commonsense resolution and stand with my colleagues in Wyoming to restore balance to our energy policy and unleash America’s full energy potential," said Congressman Meuser (R-PA).
“The previous administration’s resource management plans were a direct threat to reshoring mineral supply chains and meeting the soaring energy and mineral demand we know is coming. The resolution introduced by Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) and Representative Harriet Hageman (R-Wyo.) — which reinforces provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill and executive actions taken by the administration — restores common sense, allowing the government to once again responsibly meet its obligation to allow for economic activity on federal lands in Wyoming designated for multiple use. I applaud the Wyoming delegation for the introduction of this resolution and urge its passage,” said Rich Nolan, National Mining Association president and CEO.
“Wyoming has long powered this nation as America’s coal state, and we take pride not only in the resources we have, but in the people who make that production possible,” said Wyoming Energy Authority Executive Director Rob Creager. “The Buffalo RMP missed the mark. At a time when America needs more coal, not less, it would have sidelined a resource that continues to fuel our nation, sustain our communities, and anchor true energy dominance. This bill helps ensure Wyoming can develop its own resources without unnecessary federal interference. Congresswoman Hageman has been a critical voice for Wyoming coal, and we appreciate her decisive leadership in standing up for our state and securing a strong energy future.”
“This is a great day not only for Wyoming and the hard-working men and women of our coal industry, but for our country. America needs Wyoming coal, and the repeal of the ill-conceived Buffalo RMP will help to ensure it is available to power our energy needs well into the future. We extend our deepest thanks to Representative Hageman for her work on getting this done,” said the Wyoming Mining Association.
“Having worked on two court ordered revisions to the Buffalo RMP over the last 11 years, I am thrilled we are one step closer to returning resource management decisions to our local communities and field offices rather than Washington edicts to please political donors. This is really about jobs in Johnson, Campbell and Converse County and America’s ability to power our future. I want to thank the Wyoming Congressional Delegation for listening to local government who served as the cooperating agencies in this process and moving us one step closer to the removal of this misguided RMP,” saidJohnson County Commission Chairman Bill Novotny.
Background:
Over 40% of U.S. coal production comes from the Powder River Basin (PRB), located in northeast Wyoming and southeast Montana. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages 780,291 acres and 4,731,140 acres of mineral estate in Wyoming’s PRB, located within Campbell, Johnson, and Sheridan counties.
The BLM manages these lands pursuant to a Resource Management Plan for the Buffalo Field Office. In November 2024, the Biden administration issued a Resource Management Plan Amendment (RMPA) for Buffalo, selecting the no new leasing alternative. This makes “no BLM administered coal acceptable,” zeros out 481,000 acres for coal leasing, and makes 48.12 billion short tons of coal unavailable. This is enough to meet U.S. coal demand for the next 116 years.
H.J. Res. 130 uses the Congressional Review Act (CRA), a law which allows Congress to hold accountable the regulatory agencies. If signed into law by the President, the CRA not only nullifies a regulation, but it prohibits the agency from issuing a similar regulation in the future.
Terminating the Biden RMPA would terminate the no-leasing alternative, revert to the previous plan, and prohibit the BLM from issuing a no leasing alternative in the future.
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