Bismarck Tribune - North Dakota News - Panel protests emissions tax

Panel protests emissions tax

Oct 05, 2007 - 05:47:41 CDT

By DALE WETZEL/Associated Press Writer

North Dakota's governor, attorney general and agriculture commissioner are drafting a protest against Minnesota plans to tax carbon dioxide output from North Dakota's coal-fueled electric power stations.

The three officials make up the Industrial Commission, which administers a fund that benefits North Dakota's lignite industry. The commission met privately on Thursday to discuss submitting formal comments to Minnesota's Public Utilities Commission, which is writing new carbon dioxide regulations.

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem said a comment letter should be completed by Friday. He declined to elaborate on its contents. It will be signed by Stenehjem and the commission's other two members, Gov. John Hoeven and Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson.

"We discussed about what was happening in Minnesota, what has historically happened here in the state of North Dakota on ... a very similar issue in the past, and then, what kind of an approach that we need to take," Stenehjem said.

North Dakota's open meetings law allows the Industrial Commission to meet privately to discuss potential litigation. Earlier this year, the North Dakota Legislature set aside $500,000 to finance a possible lawsuit over the issue.

Western North Dakota power plants are among Minnesota's primary suppliers of electricity. The plants get their fuel from nearby coal mines.

Great River Energy, of Elk River, Minn., owns the Stanton and Coal Creek stations, which together generate more than 1,300 megawatts. Otter Tail Power Co., of Fergus Falls, Minn., operates the 414-megawatt Coyote station for itself and three partners, including the Northern Municipal Power Agency of Thief River Falls, Minn.

Burning coal to generate electricity is a primary source of carbon dioxide, which can trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere and contribute to global warming.

News > State

Printer friendly version Panel protests emissions tax

Comments

NDr wrote on Oct 5, 2007 3:22 PM:

" The solution is simple. Let's just send our power to a different state. When their lights our out they might want to renegotiate. "

Start a tax war wrote on Oct 5, 2007 1:29 PM:

" If they tax our CO2, then tax the CO2 emmissions on every vehicle that that they use to come to our state for hunting and fishing. You could add a 50 % tax to the out of state license fee. They want our power, hunting and fishing resources then they should pay a price that we set!!! "

Dernby wrote on Oct 5, 2007 8:55 AM:

" I say forget about suing them, forget about the half million set aside and let them tax our CO2 output. Then, whatever they tax us, add 25% to the cost for the administation of the tax, and put a tax back onto the power plants for CO2 emmisisons. The people in the state of Minnesota use the power our plants produce and they will be the ones paying for Minnesota's tax on N.D.'s CO2 emmissions. Problem solved and we didn't even have to spend one half million of N.D. citizen's money. "

Allen wrote on Oct 5, 2007 8:13 AM:

" Just another great example of Minnetucky trying to subjugate North Dakota. Sheeessh! "

Post Your Own Comment

All online comments are limited to 350 words total.
Comments are reviewed for taste, tone and language before posting.
Some comments may be used in the Tribune's print edition.
We value and respect your privacy, but The Bismarck Tribune might
disclose certain information to governmental entities if served with subpoena.