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Members of Minnesota's Public Utilities Commission Visit ND

By Dave Thompson

Bismarck, ND – Next week members of the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission will be in North Dakota to look at coal mines and power plants.

The P-U-C members are coming at the invite of the North Dakota Public Service Commission. Tony Clark is a member of the North Dakota P-S-C. He says Minnesota lawmakers and regulators have struggled with environmental concerns over coal-generated electricity....

"So we thought it would be a good idea for us as a commission to invite our counterparts from the other side of the river to come out and see North Dakota's energy field. Get a first hand look at the coal mines, reclamation process that we oversee here at the public service commission, those power plants and really get a first hand look at it."

Clark says the Saint Cloud to Saint Paul corridor is one of the fastest growing areas in the country -- and it faces potential electrical shortages. Clark says North Dakota has the power to help provide Minnesota's growing demand.