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House rejects what opponents called an 'anti-wind' amendment to a study bill

ND Legislature

Credit ND Legislature
Rep. David Monson (R-Osnabrock).

The House has rejected an amendment to a power generation study bill that opponents said would have severely restricted wind power development in North Dakota.

The amendment would have required the Public Service Commission to consider “need” when siting a new power generation facility.  Supporters said all this does is ask the PSC to do its job.

"This is not a war on wind thing," said Rep. Todd Porter (R-Mandan). "This is making sure that the next one in isn't causing someone else to drop out."

But opponents said it is designed to favor coal over wind. And they said North Dakota could potentially lose millions of dollars in wind power development.

"So why do we want to hang a 'Closed For Business' sign on North Dakota?" said Rep. David Monson (R-Osnabrock).

The amendment was rejected 62 to 27. After that, House Majority Leader Al Carlson urged the House to kill the study – which it did on a 77 to 13 vote. The study had passed the Senate.