08.18.15

Hoeven Presses EPA Administrator on New More Costly Carbon Emissions Rule

Senator Calls for EPA to Meet with Industry, Explain Dramatic Increase in Required CO2 Reduction for North Dakota

BISMARCK, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today spoke with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy to press for an explanation into the agency’s new, more costly carbon emissions rule that will require North Dakota to reduce CO2 emissions by 45 percent, a dramatic increase from the approximate 11 percent reduction called for in the proposed rule. Hoeven called on the Administrator to meet with the state’s industry to justify the increase and explain how the agency expects industry to meet the requirements.

“I spoke with EPA Administrator McCarthy today and pressed for an explanation into why the agency’s final rule calls for such a dramatic increase in CO2 reductions for North Dakota,” said Hoeven. “We need to know why the agency is targeting our state, especially when we’re one of only 14 states to meet all ambient air quality standards, and our industry has already invested millions of dollars to reduce emissions. The EPA needs to meet with our state’s lignite industry and explain how we are expected to meet these requirements. We all want a clean environment and good stewardship, but the administration’s approach is the wrong way to go about it.”

Earlier this month, the Obama administration issued its final rule on proposed CO2 reductions and a timeline to implement them by 2030. The administration’s final rule will require North Dakota to reduce CO2 emissions by 45 percent, well above the 32 percent national average reduction and significantly higher than the 11 percent reduction required of North Dakota under the proposed rule.

According to Management Information Services, the CO2 rule will raise the price of power and gas for the average American family by more than $1,225 a year by 2030, and reduce the U.S. economy by more than $2.3 trillion over the next two decades.

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