The state Health Department is holding a series of meetings on the EPA’s new Clean Power Plan.
That plan would require North Dakota to reduce carbon emissions 45 percent by 2030. And experts believe that could lead to coal mines closing – and some coal-fired power plants shutting down.
Dave Glatt of the state Health Department’s Environmental Division says the state is working on this issue on a number of fronts.
"We are looking at putting together a plan," said Glatt. "But we're also looking at challenging this in court, because we do think the rule went farther than it should have."
Glatt also says the state is hoping that its Congressional delegation will find a way to make changes -- or stop the rule all together.
"We want it so that the heavy lifting for North Dakota isn't quite so heavy," said Glatt.
An overflow crowd packed a room at the Bismarck State College National Energy Center of Excellence for the third in the Health Department's series of meetings. Bismarck-Mandan Chamber president Kelvin Hullet sent an e-mail to members, encoraging them to come to the meeting.
"It is imperative that we insure coal remains a part of the energy mix in North Dakota," said Hullet. "We want to insure no coal plants or mines in North Dakota close as part of the process."
A number of people who work in Coal Country live in Bismarck-Mandan, and commute to the mines and power plants.
While coal supporters packed the room, representatives of the environmental community were also there.
"We're concerned that the state is more interested in delay, and trying to get by with the least amount of change as possible," said Wayde Schafer of the Sierra Club. "This is a real opportunity for North Dakota to join the 21st century, and start putting an emphasis on renewables -- wind, solar. We have abundant resources. And we need to do that."
Glatt says people should stay engaged, as the state implementation plan is being put together. He says the next step is to put together a broad-based plan.
"I think we';re going to do some modeling on reliability, the potential cost impacts, and have that available to the public," said Glatt.
The Department will be holding one more meeting – in Fargo Wednesday night.