Dalrymple Recognized for Support of State's Lignite Industry

Statement

Gov. Jack Dalrymple today received the Lignite Energy Council's Public Service Award for his strong support of North Dakota's lignite industry. During his more than 30 years of public service in the Legislature and the Governor's Office, Dalrymple has worked to advance the responsible development of lignite energy as well as North Dakota's other traditional and renewable energy resources.

Dalrymple received the Public Service Award during the Lignite Energy Council's annual meeting at the Bismarck Event Center. The Governor was presented the award by Basin Electric Power Cooperative CEO and General Manager Paul Sukut and Lignite Energy Council President and CEO Jason Bohrer.

"Governor Dalrymple is a strong advocate here in North Dakota and in Washington for a comprehensive energy policy that values the many benefits and contributions of lignite energy," Bohrer said. "The Governor supports research that enriches environmental stewardship, and he understands just how important lignite is to our state economy and to consumers who depend on a reliable and affordable supply of electric power."
Dalrymple has led the state's fight against the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) proposed carbon emissions standards for existing coal-fired power plants. He has met frequently with EPA Director Gina McCarthy, other EPA officials and other energy state governors to advocate for a workable solution, and he supported a state lawsuit against the EPA after the agency released its proposed emissions rules and overstepped its authority.

North Dakota is one of just a handful of states that meet all ambient air quality standards established by the EPA, but would be one of the hardest-hit states if the EPA's proposed CO2 emissions standards move forward. Since 2005, North Dakota has reduced its carbon emissions by 11 percent despite record oil production.

Dalrymple also continues to support important research to develop new innovations that further reduce North Dakota's carbon footprint and help meet our nation's growing energy needs. The state's energy research includes work underway at the University of North Dakota's Energy and Environmental Research Center to capture carbon and utilize it for advanced oil recovery. Additionally, North Dakota's lignite-fired power plants have invested about $2 billion in technology to help reduce emissions.

"I am honored to receive this award and proud of the great progress North Dakota has made in developing its many energy resources," Dalrymple said. "North Dakota continues to expand and diversify its energy production, and the lignite industry is a critical partner in our ongoing work to help meet the growing demand for affordable energy while minimizing environmental impacts."

Coal-fired power plants provide about 80 percent of North Dakota's residential and commercial energy supply while also providing electric power to surrounding states. North Dakota's lignite industry directly employs about 4,000 workers.

In its initial proposal, the EPA announced it would require that North Dakota reduce its CO2 emissions 11 percent below 2012 levels by 2030. But the agency's final rules which were released last August, mandate North Dakota cut its emissions 45 percent cut. The rules don't give North Dakota credit for its significant increases in renewable energy production or for significant reductions already made in CO2 emissions. Dalrymple and industry energy leaders have also said that the proposed rules would jeopardize power reliability, drive up the cost of electric power and eliminate jobs.

After the Obama Administration released its proposed CO2 emissions rules, North Dakota filed a lawsuit on several grounds, including that the agency overstepped its authority under the Clean Air Act. In February, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of temporarily blocking the EPA from implementing the new emissions rules while energy states and businesses challenge the rules' legality.

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