Cramer Helps Introduce 'Listen to Americans First Act' on Coal Regulations

Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- This week Congressman Kevin Cramer helped introduce legislation blocking foreign travel by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator until the agency listens to coal-producing states on its planned rules for coal plants. The regulations would affect 17,000 jobs, $3.5 billion in economic impact, and $100 million in tax revenue provided by the lignite coal industry in North Dakota.

On September 30th, the EPA announced plans to hold listening sessions on forthcoming greenhouse gas regulations for existing coal-fired power plants. Congressman Cramer submitted a written request for a listening session in Bismarck, which did not receive a response from Administrator McCarthy. When McCarthy was before the Science, Space, and Technology Committee, Cramer again requested a listening session in North Dakota, to which she did not respond. The agency proceeded to hold 11 sessions in cities including Seattle, San Francisco, and Boston, while bypassing all ten states most reliant on coal generated electricity, including North Dakota.

Last week, Cramer called on McCarthy to explain why her agency held none of its coal regulation listening sessions in a top ten coal state while also failing to record them for the public. At the same time, McCarthy traveled to China to discuss greenhouse emissions standards.

The Listen to Americans First Act, introduced this week with an original cosponsorship from Congressman Cramer, blocks the use of taxpayer dollars for any foreign travel by the EPA Administrator until public listening sessions are held in each of the top 15 coal reliant states.

"The EPA must be held accountable to the American people, but they seem much more interested in hearing from China instead of coal-producing states like North Dakota. I believe the EPA could learn a lot about coal production from a state with an 800 year supply of it, which is why I continue to insist Administrator McCarthy reconsider the Administration's decision to ignore North Dakota," said Cramer.

Prior to his election to the United States House of Representatives, Cramer served on the North Dakota Public Service Commission. During his tenure, beginning in 2003, Cramer dealt with all aspects of the Commission's portfolio including regulation of North Dakota's three investor owned utilities and management of North Dakota's Surface Mine Coal Reclamation Act State primacy program.

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