#MTGov Daily Rundown: Bullock Continues to Use Misleading Stat on Coal

In Saturday Night's Debate, Governor Steve Bullock once again claimed that more coal was mined in the first three years of his administration than in the previous 30 years.

"More coal was mined in the first 3 years of my administration than in the previous 30 years combined." -Governor Bullock, 10/8/2016

Bullock made this claim in a previous debate, however, this year, Montana coal production was down one-third by June.

“Montana coal production through spring is down a third, a trend that doesn’t seem to be letting up.

Through May 1, Montana coal mines have produced 9.6 million tons of coal, down 4 million tons compared to the same four months a year earlier. Should the mining trend continue, state programs dependent on coal revenue will feel it, said Bud Clinch of the Montana Coal Council.” -Billings Gazette, 6/9/2016

Montana is actually now on track for a 30 year low in coal production.

“'We have to have a sense of urgency here because the wounds are becoming too deep,' said Joe Micheletti, executive vice president of Westmoreland Coal Co." -Billings Gazette, 7/14/2016

"Those deep wounds to which Micheletti refers include a one-third drop in Montana coal production through the first six months of the year when compared to the same period in 2015." -Billings Gazette, 7/14/2016

Job losses continue to mount and planned projects are "languishing."

"In the first half of the year, Montana saw more than 66 coal mining jobs lost and the bankruptcy of Arch Coal, which abandoned plans to develop a mine at Otter Creek, a project in which Arch had already invested $159 million and paid Montana an $86 million bonus for state-owned minerals involved in the deal.

A $1.4 billion coal deal signed by the Crow Tribe with Cloud Peak Energy in 2013 has also languished, and declining royalties from another Crow mine has resulted in tribal government layoffs." -Helena IR, 8/14/2016

Now Colstrip units 1 and 2 are slated for shutdown.

"The closure of at least two of Montana’s coal-fired power plants in Colstrip became a reality Tuesday, as plant owners agreed to close units 1 and 2 by mid-2022 to settle a lawsuit alleging clean-air violations at the facilities.

The plant owners – wholesale power marketer Talen Energy and five electric utilities in the Northwest -- and the two environmental groups that sued the owners in 2013 announced the settlement Tuesday afternoon." -MTN News, 7/12/2016

Not only are Colstrip units 1 and 2 slated for shutdown, but the members of the very groups that brought the lawsuit against Colstrip resulting in the agreement to shut down the units are funding Bullock's campaign.

From MEIC:

Greg Lind (Missoula) - $1,300 to Steve Bullock 2016, $1260 in 2012
Bob Ream (Helena) -$300 to Steve Bullock in 2016, $1260 in 2012
Jennifer Swearingen (Bozeman) - $200 to SB in 2016, $650 in 2012
John Rundquist Treasurer (Helena) - $250 Steve Bullock 2012
Alexis Bonogofsky (Billings) -$350 Steve Bullock (2012)

From the Sierra Club's Montana Executive Committee:

Teresa Brock - $100 to SB in 2016
Mike Scott (staff) - $400 to SB in 2016 (there are two Michael Scott's in the database, but the other donated $40 in 2012)
Bob Clark - $100 to SB in 2016, $25 in 2012

ICYMI-Governor Bullock endorsed Hillary Clinton for President, who promises a radical anti-coal, anti-gun agenda for Montana and the nation.

“…we’re gonna put a lot of coal miners and coal companies out of business”-Hillary Clinton, on CNN, 3/13/2016