Peace Garden News

After a prolonged delay, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced its proposed approval of North Dakota's Coal Combustion Residual (CCR) Permit Program. This development comes as states are allowed to apply for primacy to manage their own permit programs, provided they meet federal baseline standards. CCRs include solid byproducts from coal-based power plants such as fly ash and boiler slag.

U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer expressed his support for the EPA's decision. He stated, "President Trump’s approval of North Dakota’s CCR Permit Program is a crystal-clear example of his commitment to American energy dominance." Cramer criticized what he described as the Biden administration's delay in processing the application, suggesting it was intended to harm North Dakota's coal industry.

In 2023, Senator Cramer secured over $600,000 from the EPA for North Dakota to develop its CCR Program and finalize its application while ensuring compliance with federal standards. Despite statutory requirements for a timely decision, the EPA took more than two years before engaging with North Dakota again after President Trump's involvement.

Cramer had previously supported legislation under the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act that directed the EPA to approve state programs regulating CCRs when applied for by states. The WIIN Act became law on December 16, 2016.