{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=917a0bb2-cf3b-4e0d-a59c-5e0067d9fa16", "Capito, Heitkamp, 47 Other Senators Introduce Bipartisan Resolution to Block EPA Regulations for Existing Power Sources", "2015-10-27", "2015", "2015-10", "Democrat", "House", "ND", "Heidi Heitkamp", "H001069", "www.heitkamp.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.), along with 47 Senate co-sponsors, have introduced a resolution disapproving of the Environmental Protection Agencys (EPA) proposed Clean Power Plan regulations for existing power sources.\r\nWith this resolution, members of Congress will have an opportunity to voice their opinion about whether the administrations far-reaching Clean Power Plan should go into effect, said Senator Capito. There is a reason that 25 states have already filed lawsuits against the Clean Power Plan - this impractical rule fails to consider the costs to American families, communities and jobs. It is time to send a clear signal that across the board regulations from Washington are not the best way forward.\r\nThis is just one piece of our efforts to push back against EPAs final rule for existing power plants  a rule that is totally unworkable aswritten for North Dakotas utilities and regulators without causing severe reliability issues and massive rate increases, said Senator Heitkamp. Our bipartisan legislation enables senators to express their frustration with the rule. Beyond this resolution, Ive already successfully pressed EPA to meet directly with our utilities and regulators. As a result, EPA has agreed to send technical staff to North Dakota to see firsthand how unique our situation is and to work directly with our utilities and regulators on how  or if  we can resolve the many obstacles to meeting these goals. We need workable solutions for North Dakota utilities, as well as for a viable path forward for coal  which provides almost 80 percent of North Dakotas electricity  to guarantee our states families and small businesses have affordable and reliable power. \r\nThe resolution introduced by Senators Capito and Heitkamp is co-sponsored by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.); Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee; Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), chair of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee; Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.); John Barrasso (R-Wyo.); Roy Blunt (R-Mo.); John Boozman (R-Ark.); Bill Cassidy (R-La.); Dan Coats (R-Ind.); Thad Cochran (R-Miss.); Bob Corker (R-Tenn.); John Cornyn (R-Texas); Tom Cotton (R-Ark.); Mike Crapo (R-Idaho); Ted Cruz (R-Texas); Steve Daines (R-Mont.); Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.); Joni Ernst (R-Iowa); Deb Fischer (R-Neb.); Jeff Flake (R-Fla.); Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.); Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa); Orrin Hatch (R-Utah); John Hoeven (R-N.D.); Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.); Ron Johnson (R-Wis.); James Lankford (R-Okla.); Mike Lee (R-Utah); Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.); John McCain (R-Ariz.); Jerry Moran (R-Kan.); Rand Paul (R-Ky.); David Perdue (R-Ga.); Jim Risch (R-Idaho); Pat Roberts (R-Kan.); Mike Rounds (R-S.D.); Marco Rubio (R-Fla.); Ben Sasse (R-Neb.); Tim Scott (R-S.C.); Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.); Richard Shelby (R-Ala.); Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska); John Thune (R-S.D.); Thom Tillis (R-N.C.); Pat Toomey (R-Pa.); David Vitter (R-La.); and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.).\r\nView the bipartisan Capito-Heitkamp resolution here.\r\nU.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell(R-Ky.) introduced a related resolution of disapproval regarding the proposed Clean Power Plan regulations for new power sources.\r\nHeitkamp continues to have concerns about the Clean Power Plans impact on coal-fired power plants, which generate about one-third of the countrys electricity, and about 80 percent of North Dakotas electricity.Coal supports 13,000 jobs in North Dakota, and mining has an economic impact of $3.5 billion.\r\nHeitkamps work to find a realistic path forward for coal builds on her more than a decade of experience on the board of directors of Dakota Gasification, the one-of-a-kind synfuels plant in Beulah, N.D. During her service as North Dakotas Tax Commissioner, on the North Dakota Industrial Commission, and as the states Attorney General, Heitkamp was able to work on viable solutions to make sure coal remains a strong part of the North Dakotas energy mix.\r\nSince joining the Senate, Heitkamp has been committed to finding a realistic avenue for clean coal by:\r\n \r\nSecuring a commitment in September from Janet McCabe, assistant administrator of the EPA, for her agency to send technical staff to North Dakota to work with utilities on the challenges in meeting EPAs emissions reduction targets.During a meeting with the North Dakota congressional delegation the next day, McCabe again agreed to Heitkamps request that EPA technical staff visit North Dakota.\r\n \r\n \r\nIntroducing major legislation in 2013 and again this year to put coal on a viable path forward.Heitkampsbill which she introduced in 2013 and again this Congress  would incentivize 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. Then in May, Heitkamp and Senator Joe Manchin from West Virginia introduced a series of billsto make sure coal remains a key part of Americas energy mix, which incorporated Heitkamps initial legislation.\r\n \r\n \r\nBringing EPA Administrator to North Dakota to talk about coal.Heitkamp has made it clear to the Administration and EPA that she disagrees with the agencys policies regarding coal-fired power. After pressing EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy, Heitkampbrought McCarthyto North Dakota in February of 2014 so she could hear about the impacts of EPA regulations directly from North Dakotans.Heitkamp has alsobrought U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Monizto North Dakota in March 2014 to push the U.S. Department of Energy for more investment in clean coal technology.\r\n \r\n \r\nWorking closely with U.S. Energy Department (DOE) officials on finding a path forward for coal.Heitkamp has met with numerous top officials from DOE about the need to find a path forward for coal, includingEnergy Secretary MonizandJulio Friedmann, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Clean Coal at the DOE. They both participated in clean coal symposiums at Heitkamps request, and she will continue to press both of them on the issue.\r\n \r\n \r\nConvening industry, lawmakers, and academics to discuss a viable path forward for coal.Heitkamp co-hosted a Coal Technology Symposiumon Capitol Hill last year 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 vital role coal plays in providing affordable energy in North Dakota and around the country.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=917a0bb2-cf3b-4e0d-a59c-5e0067d9fa16"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.386083196848631, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}