North Dakota elected officials, industry leaders testify during EPA hearing
ND Gov. Jack Dalrymple, others testified during the Environmental Protection Agency's hearing on its proposed federal implementation plan for regional haze.
Basin Electric Power Cooperative
- October 14, 2011
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| ND Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem testifies during EPA hearing in Bismarck Oct. 13. |
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency held a two-day hearing Oct. 13-14 in Bismarck to hear testimony from businesses and individuals on its proposed federal implementation plan for regional haze for North Dakota.
North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple, Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem and Public Service Commissioner Kevin Cramer were among elected officials to testify in support of the state's plan for regional haze.
Dalrymple said North Dakota's plan is a better solution than the one proposed by the EPA. “North Dakota has successfully designed, implemented and enforced air quality programs resulting in the state being one of only 12 states that comply with all federal ambient air quality standards," he said.
Stenehjem said the EPA's proposal does not follow the Clean Air Act. "North Dakota's plan follows the law and the science. North Dakota is just as committed, probably more so, as the EPA in protecting our natural resources and being a good neighbor."
Watch video of testimony from the hearing, including Ron Harper, Basin Electric CEO and general manager, and Mac McLennan, Minnkota Power Cooperative CEO and president, on YouTube, at Stop EPA ND on YouTube.
The EPA’s notice to disapprove part of North Dakota’s State Implementation Plan for regional haze was published in the Federal Register Sept. 21. If you haven’t already, go to http://stopepand.com/Take_Action/ and send a message to EPA disapproving of its intentions. More than 1,530 messages have been sent to the EPA through this website already.
EPA’s plan could cost more than $700 million for no visible benefit, which is the purpose of the regional haze program. It could also potentially hinder the operation of our local energy sources, which is not appropriate for North Dakota or the country.
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