A Billings judge’s Sept. 30 ruling found that the Interior Department failed to adequately weigh water and climate impacts associated with Rosebud Mining’s proposal to pull an additional 70 million tons of coals from a Colstrip-area mine. The Office of Surface Mining has 19 months to redo its analysis and incorporate a broader range of alternatives to Rosebud Mining’s proposal.
Author Archives: Amanda Eggert
Amanda Eggert studied print journalism at the University of Montana. Prior to becoming a full-time journalist, Amanda spent four years working with the Forest Service as a wildland firefighter. After leaving the Forest Service in 2014, Amanda worked for Outside magazine as an editorial fellow before joining Outlaw Partners’ staff to lead coverage for Explore Big Sky newspaper and contribute writing and editing to Explore Yellowstone and Mountain Outlaw magazines. Prior to joining Montana Free Press’ staff in 2021 Amanda was a freelance writer, researcher and interviewer. In addition to writing for outlets like Outside Online, Montana Quarterly, Mountains & Minds, Edible Bozeman and others, Amanda did contract communications work for Pursuit Cycles, Montana Outfitters and Guides Association and Davis & Associates.
For Davis & Associates, Amanda produced a 66-page report about behavioral health challenges and opportunities in Big Sky. Her husband runs Cottonwood Environmental Law Center, a Bozeman-based conservation nonprofit. Amanda does not report on the lawsuits Cottonwood is working on, although there is some overlap in her husband’s interests as an environmental attorney and the issues Amanda covers as a journalist.
