releases: https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=6db48d13-ee07-49e3-a298-c184b97bf49c
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=6db48d13-ee07-49e3-a298-c184b97bf49c | Heitkamp, Capito to Introduce Resolution to Overturn Clean Power Plan Rules for Existing Power Sources | 2015-10-23 | 2015 | 2015-10 | Democrat | House | ND | Heidi Heitkamp | H001069 | www.heitkamp.senate.gov | legacy | WILLISTON, N.D. U.S. Senators Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) announced they will introduce a resolution of disapproval under theCongressional Review Act to stopthe Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from moving forward with its Clean Power Planregulations for existing power sources next week. Todays announcement follows publication of the Clean Power Plan in the Federal Register. Under the Congressional Review Act, Congress can overturn actions by a federal agency, like EPA, after a rule is formally published and submitted to Congress. If the resolution is enacted into law, it would nullify the Clean Power Plan, including any portions of the regulations that have already gone into effect. North Dakota needs flexible, feasible rules if were going to find a realistic path forward to reduce emissions. And, as I have long said, those rules need to acknowledge the reality that coal provides almost a third of our countrys electricity, said Heitkamp. The EPA regulations on existing power plants dont fit the bill. In fact, the final rule requires emissions reductions four times higher for North Dakota than were required by the proposed rule, even after my states utilities spent considerable time and resources working in good faith with the EPA on a viable goal. This resolution enables many senators to express their frustration legislatively, and is just one avenue Ill keep doing everything I can to find workable solutions for North Dakota utilities and consumers through any and all available options. Last month, I got EPA to commit to sending technical staff to North Dakota to address our challenges on the ground. North Dakota families and small businesses should know they can get the affordable, reliable electricity they need. It is my intent to pursue all available avenues for fighting back against the administrations devastating assault on West Virginias energy industry. Too many Americans, jobs, families and communities have been negatively impacted by this administrations overreaching regulations, and more pain will be felt if the Clean Power Plan is ever implemented, said Capito. Congress deserves to have an opportunity to vote on whether the administrations far-reaching energy regulations should go into effect, and I look forward to working with Leader McConnell and others to make that happen. 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. Heitkamps 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. Since joining the Senate, Heitkamp has been committed to finding a realistic avenue for clean coal by: Securing 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. Introducing major legislation in 2013 and again this year to put coal on a viable path forward.Heitkamps bill 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 bills to 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, Heitkamp brought McCarthy to North Dakota in February of 2014 so she could hear about the impacts of EPA regulations directly from North Dakotans.Heitkamp has also brought U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz to North Dakota in March 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, including Energy Secretary Moniz and Julio 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 Symposium on 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 |