06.26.13

Hoeven, Dalrymple: President Taking the Wrong Approach to Coal Power Plants

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven and Governor Jack Dalrymple today said President Obama’s plan to add an even heavier regulatory burden on the energy industry by imposing a carbon cap on all electrical generating plants using fossil fuels. The president’s plan means higher energy costs for consumers and businesses, weakened U.S. competiveness in global markets and increased unemployment at a time when the economy is still struggling.

The senator and governor said that’s the wrong approach, and North Dakota is a good example of how a true all-of-the-above energy strategy can lead to a dynamic economy and job creation.

The president has directed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to issue regulations to reduce power plant carbon emissions for existing power plants no later than June 1, 2014, and final standards by June 1, 2015. States must submit implementation plans to the EPA by June 30, 2016. He has also directed the EPA to issue new proposed carbon emissions standards for New Electric Utility Generating Units by no later than September 20, 2013.

“More than a decade ago we implemented Empower North Dakota, a true comprehensive strategy to develop all of our energy resources, both renewable and traditional, together,” Hoeven said. “The result has been tremendous energy growth and thousands of jobs for North Dakotans. Instead of picking winners and losers, the administration should be streamlining the regulatory process and empowering all sectors of the energy industry, including coal, to attract the investment that will deploy new technologies to help produce more energy with better environmental stewardship.”

“Directing the EPA to implement a one-size-fits-all approach to reduce carbon emissions is not the right answer,” Dalrymple said. “North Dakota, one of only a handful of states that meet the EPA’s air quality standards, is a prime example of how we can responsibly develop our much-needed energy resources while continuing to integrate new technologies proven to reduce emissions. The president’s plan threatens to stifle energy development and drive up energy costs paid by consumers.”