releases: https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=68255c5d-342b-48df-b040-d067dc54f00c
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=68255c5d-342b-48df-b040-d067dc54f00c | U.S. Senate Passes Heitkamp, Capito Bipartisan Resolution to Stop EPA Rule on Existing Power Plants | 2015-11-17 | 2015 | 2015-11 | Democrat | House | ND | Heidi Heitkamp | H001069 | www.heitkamp.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. A bipartisan resolution introduced by U.S. Senators Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) to stop the Environmental Protection Agencys Clean Power Plan regulations for existing power sources passed today in the U.S. Senate. Heitkamp also voted with a bipartisan majority of the Senate to pass a resolution disapproving of the Clean Power Plan regulations for new power plants. Heitkamp 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. The final Clean Power Plan rule requires an emissions reduction of 45 percent from North Dakota a dramatic jump from the original proposal of an 11 percent emissions reduction. Heitkamp has been negotiating with EPA for several months to make the rule realistic for North Dakota, working on her legislation to find a viable path forward for coal, and encouraging states challenges to the rule in court. North Dakota power plants need workable rules if theyre going to continue generating affordable and reliable electricity for families and small businesses, said Heitkamp. EPAs rules on existing power plants are not realistic for our state and many others, and this resolution makes it clear that a bipartisan majority of the Senate agrees. To make sure overly burdensome EPA regulations dont hurt our state, Ill keep pushing for viable solutions through legislation, negotiation, and legal challenges to make sure coal remains a key energy sources for decades to come. American jobs and economic growth are being held hostage as the administration proposes regulations that harm energy-producing states, said Capito. Todays passage of a bipartisan resolution of disapproval makes clear that enough is enough the president cannot move forward with policies at expense of our families, communities and economy. The administration needs to understand coals role in our energy landscape, and I will continue my efforts to ensure that our state has access to affordable, reliable energy. In September, Heitkamp secured a commitment from Janet McCabe, assistant administrator of the EPA, for her agency to send technical staff to North Dakota to work with utilities on 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 to address the states challenges on the ground. Heitkamps work to find a realistic path forward for coal builds on 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 North Dakota Attorney General, Heitkamp worked on viable solutions to make sure coal remains a strong part of the North Dakotas energy mix. Since joining the Senate, Heitkamp has been committed to finding a realistic avenue for clean coal by: Introducing 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. Bringing 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 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 August 2014 to push the U.S. Department of Energy for more investment in clean coal technology. Working 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. Convening 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 |