Political Quotes

“Mr. President, I think all of us understand the gravity of moving forward on a CRA. It is not a usual procedure; it is limited in terms of filibuster rules, and it is extraordinary. In this case, unfortunately, it is necessary. Had the previous administration actually listened and worked constructively with Senator Manchin and me and my utilities and the coal industry in North Dakota, we would not be standing here now. This was a rule that had a specific intent of addressing mining practices in Appalachia. Yet the former administration made the rule applicable to the entire country. I don't know that any of those folks drafting the rule had ever been to North Dakota to see just how different our mining practices and geology are compared to Appalachia, so I invited former Assistant Secretary Schneider out last year to take a look for herself. When she came out, she heard directly from North Dakota utilities, regulators, and coal companies, and she saw how our operations differ and how my State is a national leader in reclamation. Based on the final rule, it is apparent that the rule was already made before her visit, and the input of the folks back home in my State, quite honestly, was not taken seriously. North Dakota coal stakeholders estimate that the rule could cost coal producers in North Dakota alone approximately $50 million annually in additional compliance costs and take more than 600 million tons of otherwise mineable, affordable coal off the table.…”