Central ND News

Senator John Hoeven participated in an event at the White House, where President Donald Trump signed new executive orders aimed at bolstering access to affordable and dependable baseload electricity, particularly from coal. These orders align closely with Senator Hoeven's ongoing efforts to support the future of the coal industry in the United States, which plays a vital role in the country's energy strategy.

The executive orders direct the Department of the Interior to identify coal reserves on federal lands and give priority to federal coal leasing. This initiative opposes the Biden administration's policies that restrict access to coal resources, such as the Public Lands Rule and the Resource Management Plan affecting North Dakota.

Additionally, the orders aim to provide regulatory relief for coal mining operations and coal-fired power plants. Among these measures is an exemption for certain coal plants from adhering to the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) rule, which originated from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) during the previous administration. Senator Hoeven, with then-Congressman Kelly Armstrong, previously introduced legislation to block the implementation of the new MATS rule.

Another component of the executive orders supports the growth of technologies like carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) and encourages the export of U.S. coal technology to support global energy leadership. Furthermore, the orders propose leveraging emergency authority under the Federal Power Act to prevent the early retirement of coal-fired power plants to maintain grid reliability.

Senator Hoeven commented on the orders, stating, “Today’s executive orders help mobilize President Trump’s team in support of our nation’s coal producers, who provide affordable and reliable baseload power that is essential to the stability of our electric grid.” He emphasized the importance of using national coal reserves to enhance energy dominance and expressed optimism about working with administration leaders, including Interior Secretary Burgum and Energy Secretary Wright, to provide necessary regulatory relief.

In advancing CCUS technology, Hoeven has been proactive for more than a decade, particularly in North Dakota, to establish the legal and regulatory frameworks needed for this technology. North Dakota was the first state to receive regulatory authority for Class VI wells, ensuring safe CO2 storage underground. The state also hosts Basin’s Dakota Gasification synfuels plant, which is the world's largest coal-based carbon capture project, capturing up to 2.25 million metric tons of CO2 annually.