The Bismarck-Mandan Chamber of Commerce expressed its concern in a Tuesday statement regarding a video circulating on the Internet of vice presidential nominee Joe Biden saying "no coal plants here in America" at a recent campaign rally in Ohio.

The chamber, in its statement, asked North Dakota's congressional delegation, which backs the Obama-Biden campaign, to "seek clarification" on the Democratic presidential ticket's position on coal use in the United States.

"We view this issue as a non-partisan issue and are really just asking for clarification," said Kelvin Hullet, president of the local chamber.

The Obama campaign's Web site says the presidential nominee is in support of developing and deploying "clean coal technology."

The delegation called the statement partisan politics.

"It sounds like partisan dribble that comes from the national chamber," Rep. Earl Pomeroy, D-N.D., said.

Pomeroy said the position that matters is the one at the top of the ticket and that the Bismarck-Mandan chamber should have released a statement about GOP presidential nominee John McCain's opposition to this year's farm bill and ethanol subsidies.

"Where's the press release on those things?" Pomeroy said.

North Dakota's senators said the chamber should do a full review of both candidates and their positions on issues that could have an economic impact on North Dakota.

"I hope the chamber members would take note of that," Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., said, regarding McCain's positions on the farm bill.

Hullet said the chamber does not normally react to statements such as Biden's, but added, "These national politics have a very direct impact on our local economy."

Steve Van Dyke, spokesman for North Dakota's Lignite Energy Council, said 95 percent of electricity use in North Dakota comes from coal. He added that both campaigns are working with the coal industry to develop cleaner technology.

"I think both of them understand that there's a need for an increase in funding for (research and development) in clean coal technology," Van Dyke said.

(Reach reporter Brian Duggan at 223-8482 or brian.duggan@bismarcktribune.com.)