ND PSC Allowed To Participate In Coal Regs Lawsuit

A federal magistrate says North Dakota's Public Service Commission has the right to participate in a lawsuit that challenges its authority to regulate coal mining.

 

 

 

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - A federal magistrate says North Dakota's Public Service Commission has the right to participate in a lawsuit that challenges its authority to regulate coal mining.

The lawsuit was filed by two North Dakota environmental groups against U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar.

The groups want Salazar to take away the state agency's authority to regulate coal mining and land reclamation in North Dakota. They say the move is justified because Commissioners Kevin Cramer and Brian Kalk have taken campaign contributions from the coal industry.

Magistrate Charles Miller Jr. says federal law gives the commission the right to participate in the lawsuit.

Cramer says Tuesday the decision is a victory for state regulatory authority.

The environmental groups say taxpayers are having to defend Cramer and Kalk's acceptance of coal industry campaign donations.

(KFGO File Photo)

 

AP

   

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