Montana has found itself in the national spotlight this week, not for its sweeping landscapes or storied wildlife, but for two very different stories unfolding in the heart of the state. On one hand, watchdog groups and local governments are sounding alarms over a controversial coal lease sale that could have lasting impacts on public finances and the environment. On the other, ZooMontana is celebrating a rare and prestigious re-accreditation, marking a significant milestone in its mission to care for wildlife and educate the public.
Let’s start with the coal controversy. According to the Associated Press and reporting by Wyoming Public Radio, the federal government held a long-anticipated coal lease sale in Montana on October 6, 2025. The results, to put it mildly, were eyebrow-raising. The top—and only—bid for the rights to mine 167 million tons of coal clocked in at $186,000. Do the math, and that’s about one-tenth of a dollar per ton. For context, the last successful federal coal sale in the region went for $1.10 per ton. Had this sale matched that prior rate, the total would’ve approached $183 million. That’s a staggering difference, and it’s got folks asking tough questions about the process.
Why does this matter so much? Sara Kendall, program director for the Western Organization of Resource Councils, points out that about half of the proceeds from such sales are returned to states and local governments. "That money goes to things like public infrastructure and schools," she explained, according to Wyoming Public Radio. With so much at stake, watchdogs are laser-focused on whether the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will accept the bid. Under federal rules established in 1976, the BLM is supposed to accept only bids that meet or exceed "fair market value." But what exactly is that value? The agency doesn’t disclose its calculations, leaving critics worried that the safeguards meant to protect taxpayers might be eroding.
Kendall put it bluntly: "I think the concern is that the offices and the systems that were put in place in order to ensure that the public is getting a fair return for taxpayers is under threat." As of October 9, 2025, the BLM had yet to announce whether it would accept or reject the bid, leaving many in suspense.
The company behind the bid, Navajo Transitional Energy Co. (NTEC), has argued that the low price reflects market realities. Coal demand has been on a steady decline for years, with predictions of further drops as utilities shift to other energy sources. NTEC told the Associated Press that the market outlook justified their low offer, though they did not respond to further questions from Wyoming Public Radio. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Department of the Interior offered a pointed take, saying, "While we would have liked to see stronger participation, this sale reflects the lingering impact from Obama and Biden’s decades long war on coal which aggressively sought to end all domestic coal production and erode confidence in the U.S. coal industry."
The controversy doesn’t end in Montana. A similar federal coal lease sale was scheduled in neighboring Wyoming for October 8, 2025—the first in 13 years. This lease, known as West Antelope III, involved a parcel in the northeast Powder River Basin with a whopping 440 million tons of coal, also nominated by NTEC. But just two days before the sale, the BLM abruptly postponed it, with no new date announced. The region has seen sluggish leasing for over a decade, thanks in part to a shrinking coal market and recent federal policies. The Biden administration’s BLM ended new coal leasing in the Powder River Basin, the nation’s top coal-producing region. The Trump administration, however, is working to undo those restrictions.
Political leaders in Wyoming are pushing back hard. On October 8, 2025, Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) introduced a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution aimed at reversing the management plan that ended new coal leasing in the Powder River Basin. Lummis was joined by Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) and Representative Harriet Hageman (R-WY). In a press release, Lummis stated, "Coal is the backbone of Wyoming's economy, it supports thousands of good-paying jobs, generates the revenue that funds our communities, and provides reliable, cheap electricity to Americans across our country." Congress now has 60 legislative days to act on the CRA. If passed, the region would revert to the previous resource management plan, opening the door to new coal leases—though, as history shows, even under the old rules, lease sales have been rare.
Amid these debates over natural resources and economic futures, another Montana institution is making headlines for very different reasons. On October 7, 2025, ZooMontana announced it had been re-accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), as reported by local media. This is no small feat—fewer than 10% of animal facilities nationwide hold this gold-standard designation. AZA accreditation is a rigorous process, requiring zoos to reapply every five years and meet strict criteria for animal care, education, and conservation.
ZooMontana’s journey has had its ups and downs. The zoo lost its accreditation in 2011 but regained it in September 2019. This latest re-accreditation is a testament to the hard work of its staff and leadership. Speaking of leadership, more big news came on October 7: Jessica Hart was named the permanent President and CEO by the ZooMontana Board of Directors. Hart, who has been with the organization since 2020, stepped in as interim president in February 2025 following the departure of longtime Executive Director Jeff Ewelt to Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium. Now, she’s officially at the helm.
ZooMontana, nestled on a 70-acre campus on the west side of Billings, first opened its doors in 1995. Today, it cares for more than 80 animals representing 56 different species. For the local community, the zoo is more than an attraction—it’s a source of pride and a hub for conservation and education. The reaccreditation and Hart’s appointment signal a new chapter for the institution, one marked by stability and continued commitment to excellence.
These two stories—one about the struggle to ensure public resources are managed fairly, the other about the triumph of a local institution—reflect the complex tapestry of life in Montana. While debates over coal leasing and environmental stewardship play out in the halls of government and the courts of public opinion, places like ZooMontana quietly remind us of the importance of stewardship, care, and community investment. It’s a state where the stakes are high, the passions run deep, and the future is always up for debate.
