The group contested that this could tie up rail lines, cause environmental problems and leave local governments on the hook for costly rail crossing improvements.<ref>[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/12/northwest-coal-train-traffic-spike_n_1666605.html "Northwest Coal Train Traffic Could Spike, Foes Warn"] Matthew Brown, Associated Press, July 11, 2012.</ref>
==Coal protesters occupy state Capitol==
On August 13, 2012 protesters opposed to coal development in Montana occupied the state Capitol in Helena, the first day of a week-long protest aimed at elected officials to push them to block future development leases.
The protesters, led by a Missoula based group called the Blue Skies Campaign, billed the "Coal Export Action sit-in" as a non-violent protest. The group hopes to convince the Montana Land Board to reject development of coal in eastern Montana's Otter Creek, or at a minimum delay action on the issue while more studies are undertaken.<ref>[http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/coal-protesters-occupy-state-capitol/article_9ea66c7d-454b-50e9-a95c-6c1843ddc011.html#ixzz23dvBe9FR Coal protesters occupy state Capitol"] Associated Press, August 13, 2012.</ref>
==EPA releases list of 44 "high hazard" coal ash dumps==