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Increases in oil and gas prices and the decline of nuclear power have led to an increase in the competitiveness of coal. This change in relative economics has been particularly great for the six western coal-producing states where large low cost deposits of environmentally acceptable low-sulfur coal are found. Montana and Wyoming have responded to this situation by raising severance taxes substantially, and other states are considering similar actions. This has led to congressional attempts to limit state coal taxes. Using an integrated model of the U.S. coal and electric utility industries, this paper estimates how high coal severance taxes might rise with and without such legislation. Competition and incentives for cooperation between Montana, Wyoming, and other western states arc examined. Efficiency and distributional implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details the printing of Montana's laws and legislative journals from 1866 to 1881. Robert E. Fisk of the Helena `Herald' periodical as contractor for printing the laws and journals of the sixth legislative session in 1870; Wilkinson & Ronan imprint on government printing in Helena in 1867; Legislative session in Virginia City from December 4, 1871 to January 12, 1872.