Wyoming Says Coal Bonding Ruling is Political

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — A state environmental regulator says a federal finding that two Wyoming coal mines aren't adequately bonded is erroneous and political in nature.

Kyle Wendtland with the Department of Environmental Quality asked the federal Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement on Friday to reconsider its finding.

At issue is how to pay for cleaning up two Wyoming coal mines owned by Alpha Natural Resources should they close.

Alpha Natural Resources is going through bankruptcy. Wyoming has allowed the company to make the state a priority creditor for a small portion of its environmental bonding during that process.

The OSMRE says Wyoming should have required Alpha Natural Resources to post full bond after determining last year that the company's finances had weakened.

Wendtland says the federal finding is unreasonable.