The unraveling of the coal industry, as exemplified by the demise of Arch Coal, was on display again as federal regulators put the final nail in the coffin of a proposed coal railroad.

"The $405 million Tongue River Railroad proposed for southeast Montana is the crashing coal economy’s latest casualty," reports Tom Lutey. "The federal Surface and Transportation Board decided unanimously to kill the coal railroad, given the recent bankruptcy of Arch Coal."
The last Planetizen heard from the Tongue River Railroad, the permitting process had been "suspended" in December. Since then, Arch Coal also suspended an application for a major mine proposal in southeastern Montana that would have used the Tongue River Railroad to deliver coal north to Miles City.
FULL STORY: Tongue River Railroad killed by federal panel

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

San Francisco Mayor Backtracks on Homelessness Goal
Mayor Dan Lurie ran on a promise to build 1,500 additional shelter beds in the city, complete with supportive services. Now, his office says they are “shifting strategy” to focus on prevention and mental health treatment.

How Trump's HUD Budget Proposal Would Harm Homelessness Response
Experts say the change to the HUD budget would make it more difficult to identify people who are homeless and connect them with services, and to prevent homelessness.

The Vast Potential of the Right-of-Way
One writer argues that the space between two building faces is the most important element of the built environment.
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Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
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Camden Redevelopment Agency
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