EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin speaks at a Nov. 5 press conference at the N.D. State Capitol next to Gov. Kelly Armstrong and Rep. Julie Fedorchak. PHOTO COURTESY BASIN ELECTRIC
During U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin’s visit to North Dakota in November, the agency announced its approval of North Dakota’s coal combustion residuals (CCR) permit program. The approval allows the state, instead of the federal government, to regulate the disposal of CCR in surface impoundments and landfills, making North Dakota the fourth state to have this oversight authority.
Zeldin says the move signals EPA’s commitment to permitting reform, which has become a policy priority for electric cooperatives.
“By entrusting state experts with the authority to oversee their own resources, we are reinforcing our commitment to both cooperative federalism and permitting reform,” Zeldin said. “North Dakota’s deep understanding of its unique landscape and community needs ensures that local expertise leads the way in protecting the environment and fostering economic growth.”
To address reliability challenges across the nation, electric cooperatives have pressed for substantive reform to permitting and the siting of new electric generation and transmission infrastructure, calling for the federal environmental review process to be more efficient, reduce costs and give more certainty to electric co-ops as they build for the future.
Basin Electric Power Cooperative Director of Environmental Services Erin Dukart says state oversight of CCR benefits both the industry and the environment by ensuring timely, locally informed permitting consistent with the state’s long history of responsible waste management.
CCR is produced primarily as a byproduct from burning coal in coal-fired power plants.
“North Dakota has regulated coal combustion residuals effectively for more than 40 years, protecting both the environment and public health, and we appreciate the EPA and Administrator Zeldin for recognizing the strength and responsibility of our state-led approach,” Gov. Kelly Armstrong said.
