coalOur political representatives are asking Interior Secretary Sally Jewell to hurry up and complete the court-ordered review of the Trapper Mine in Craig.

This would be the other mine targeted by environmentalists who failed to shut down the Colowyo in the same legal suit.

If the feds don’t complete the review by April, then the mine faces certain closure, nearly 200 jobs will be lost along with $22 million in annual wages and benefits and the feds will lose out on their cut, $10 million a year.

“Further, the Trapper Mine contributes approximately 50% of the total fuel for the Craig Power Generating Station, which is another significant employer in the area, and a critical facility for regional electricity production and transmission. The mine also has a track record of developing its resources in a safe and environmentally sound manner,” the lawmakers wrote.

The letter was signed by U.S. Sens. Cory Gardner and Michael Bennet, along with U.S. Rep. Scott Tipton and Gov. Hickenlooper.

It seems hypocritical to us that Bennet and Hickenlooper signed the letter, seeing as how both are supporting the EPA’s Clean Power plan, which is Hell bent on closing coal-fired power plants, and in essence, the actual coal mines.

But with Bennet running for reelection, and most of the Colorado electorate stating in recent polls they are not likely to reelect the Democrat, it appears that it’s not only the coal miners jobs that are at stake.