Fargo Standard

Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak (R-ND) attended the “Advancing America’s Beautiful Clean Coal” event in Washington, D.C., where she joined U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, and Department of Energy Undersecretary Wells Griffith. The event included announcements about new measures aimed at supporting coal production and strengthening the reliability and affordability of U.S. power.

Fedorchak emphasized the importance of coal producers in North Dakota to national energy security, stating: “Reliable baseload power comes from hardworking North Dakota coal producers, and the Trump administration recognizes their importance to our nation’s energy security. Secretary Burgum, Administrator Zeldin, and Secretary Wright all have an unprecedented understanding of our nation’s energy systems, and the role good policy and regulations play in them. The reforms announced yesterday cut red tape, lower costs, and provide certainty for producers—helping protect jobs, strengthen reliability, and keep America competitive.”

Secretary Burgum highlighted steps being taken to reduce regulatory barriers for coal production: “President Trump promised to put American energy workers first, and today we’re delivering. By reducing the royalty rate for coal, increasing coal acres available for leasing, and unlocking critical minerals from mine waste, we are strengthening our economy, protecting national security, and ensuring that communities from Montana to Alabama benefit from good-paying jobs. Washington doesn’t build prosperity, American workers and entrepreneurs do, and we’re giving them the tools to succeed.”

EPA Administrator Zeldin addressed previous regulatory approaches: “Americans are suffering because the past administration attempted to apply heavy-handed regulations to coal and other forms of energy it deemed unfavorable. It is time to restore common sense to the programs and regulations we use to protect human health and the environment,” he said. “Beautiful clean coal has been a reliable energy source supporting American communities and economic growth for generations. We can improve air quality in our national parks and protect our waterways while simultaneously unleashing domestic energy and reducing costs for American families.”

U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright commented on future prospects: “Beautiful, clean coal will be essential to powering America’s reindustrialization and winning the AI race,” he said. “These funds will help keep our nation’s coal plants operating and will be vital to keeping electricity prices low and the lights on without interruption. Coal built the greatest industrial engine the world has ever known, and with President Trump’s leadership, it will help do so again.”

At the event, several actions were announced:

- Thirteen million acres of federal land are now open for coal leasing as part of efforts led by Secretary Burgum; this move triples benchmarks set by earlier tax policies.

- The Bureau of Land Management is streamlining project approvals while lowering royalty rates on coal leases.

- Lease sales have begun at key sites such as Freedom Mine and Falkirk Mine in North Dakota.

- The EPA will allow steam electric power generators more time to comply with effluent limitations guidelines (ELGs), a step expected to save up to $200 million annually in electricity costs while supporting industrial competitiveness.

- The EPA also issued an advance notice seeking public input on revising how states meet visibility requirements under the Clean Air Act's Regional Haze Rule.

- The Department of Energy committed $625 million toward projects focused on recommissioning or modernizing coal units ($350 million), rural capacity initiatives ($175 million), advanced wastewater management ($50 million), dual firing retrofits ($25 million), and natural gas cofiring systems ($25 million).

These initiatives aim not only at maintaining reliable baseload power but also at adapting existing infrastructure for changing market needs.