Heitkamp to President: Proposed EPA Rules for New Coal Plants Take Wrong Approach

Press Release

Highlighting the damage it would cause to an industry that provides Americans with thousands of jobs and low-cost electricity, U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today called on President Obama to reassess the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) proposed regulations on new coal-fired power plants.

Heitkamp, who has more than a decade of experience working as a Director for a North Dakota energy company, has repeatedly fought wrongheaded proposals that would end coal, and put forth workable solutions to make sure we maintain a reliable supply of baseload power by finding a path forward for coal. She has been forceful in her opposition to the regulations on new coal-fired plants since they were announced last September.

In March, Heitkamp introduced legislation to find a viable path forward for coal by incentivizing utilities companies to invest in clean coal technologies that would make it affordable for coal plants to lower emissions.

"I have long said that we need to reduce emissions, but the Administration's proposal is forcing companies to use clean coal technology that isn't yet available. That just doesn't make sense. Instead, we need to incentivize the development of clean coal technology to improve air quality while also finding a realistic path forward for coal -- as my bill would do," said Heitkamp. "Coal provides nearly 80 percent of North Dakota's electricity, and if we just freeze coal out of our system, coal jobs will go away and electricity costs will spike. Let's find a workable solution. The Administration needs to make changes to its rule so that it offers a realistic path for coal and for electricity generation in our country. We can work together to achieve that goal, and I hope the Administration listens."

Heitkamp is a staunch supporter of North Dakota's all-of-the-above energy strategy that is leading the way toward North American energy security and independence. For more than a decade, she was on the board of directors for the one-of-a-kind Dakota Gasification synfuels plant in Beulah, North Dakota. Since joining the Senate, Heitkamp has been committed to finding a realistic avenue for clean coal by:

Introducing major legislation to put coal on a viable path forward. Heitkamp's bill incentivizes companies to invest in technologies that reduce the carbon footprint of coal-fired power. This is done through federal funding programs, federal support for private investment, and recommendations to Congress that provide insight on how best to support future CCS projects in the U.S.

Bringing Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator to North Dakota to talk about coal. Heitkamp has made it clear to the Administration and the EPA that she disagrees with the agency's policies regarding coal-fired power. After pressing EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy, Heitkamp brought McCarthy to North Dakota in February so she could hear about the impacts of EPA regulations -- including the proposed New Source Performance Standard rules -- directly from North Dakotans. Heitkamp made a strong case that coal is a critical energy source and she talked about the need for investments in clean coal technologies as a path toward a true all-of-the-above energy strategy.

Bringing together industry, lawmakers, and academics to discuss a viable path forward for coal. Heitkamp co-hosted a Coal Technology Symposium on Capitol Hill earlier this month that brought together industry, lawmakers, experts and academics -- including the Energy and Environmental Research Center from Grand Forks -- to discuss the importance of finding a viable path forward for coal. To a crowded room, Heitkamp laid out why it is so important for our nation to put in place realistic energy policies and discussed the important role coal plays in providing affordable energy in North Dakota and around the country.

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