Interior Approves Controversial Coal Mine on Tennessee Forestland

The U.S. Interior Department has approved a sprawling surface coal mine on private land in Tennessee, managed by The Nature Conservancy, which has been working to protect the area. The decision, made using an expedited permitting process, follows President Trump’s declaration of an energy emergency.
Hurricane Creek Mining’s proposal to build an open-pit coal mine on Bryson Mountain in Claiborne County was approved by the Interior’s Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement. Agency officials stated the move supports communities, secures supply chains, and ensures U.S. competitiveness in the global energy landscape.
This approval comes after the administration fast-tracked a uranium mine in Utah earlier this year, sparking criticism from environmental groups. The Interior has also signed off on coal mines in Montana, with Republican Sen. Steve Daines expecting further approvals, including the Rosebud mine in the northern Powder River Basin.
The decision highlights the administration’s push to expand energy production, despite concerns from conservationists about the environmental impact on protected lands.

Published: 7/9/2025