ND North News

U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin have announced two proposals aimed at achieving national energy dominance and ensuring access to affordable energy. These proposals reverse policies from the Biden administration that targeted North Dakota's energy industries, prompting legal challenges from the state and industry.

Administrator Zeldin proposed repealing all greenhouse gas emission standards for the power sector under Section 111 of the Clean Air Act, as well as the 2024 Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) amendments. The EPA had previously indicated its intent to repeal these regulations during Deregulation Day in March. According to estimates, these actions could save the power sector over $20 billion in the next two decades, with approximately $19 billion coming from changes to the greenhouse gas rule.

“In North Dakota, we mine lignite coal and produce very reliable, long-term, steady electricity at a low cost,” said Senator Cramer. He expressed gratitude towards President Trump and Administrator Zeldin for recognizing American potential and implementing what he described as more reasonable rules.

The Clean Power Plan's greenhouse gas emission standards were initially issued in 2015 by President Obama. They would have led to significant closures of lignite power plants in North Dakota and increased consumer prices due to their high costs. However, after legal challenges by North Dakota and industry groups, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down this plan in 2022 in West Virginia v. EPA, ruling it an illegal attempt at mandating fuel choices outside legislative processes.

The new proposal underlines that emissions from fossil fuel-fired power plants must be proven contributors to dangerous air pollution before regulation can occur. It also plans to repeal carbon capture requirements for new turbines while seeking public input on efficiency-based requirements for natural gas plants.

Regarding MATS amendments, the EPA proposes reverting to standards set by the Obama administration in 2012 after finding them adequate for public health protection despite newer amendments introduced by Biden’s administration requiring costly technologies not suited for North Dakota’s lignite plants.

Additionally, this announcement restores a regulatory subcategory for lignite coal ignored by Biden's administration but crucial given its role in generating over half of North Dakota's electricity output.