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State of South Dakota
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NINETY-FIRST SESSION LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY, 2016 |
| 823X0626 | HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 1005 |
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Introduced by: Representatives Wiik, Anderson, Beal, Bolin, Brunner, Campbell, Craig,
Cronin, Deutsch, DiSanto, Duvall, Feickert, Gosch, Greenfield (Lana),
Haggar (Don), Harrison, Haugaard, Heinemann (Leslie), Holmes, Hunt,
Johns, Klumb, Langer, May, McCleerey, Mickelson, Munsterman, Otten
(Herman), Partridge, Peterson (Kent), Qualm, Rasmussen, Rounds, Rozum,
Schaefer, Schoenbeck, Schoenfish, Sly, Solum, Stalzer, Steinhauer, Stevens,
Tulson, Verchio, Werner, Westra, Willadsen, Wink, Wollmann, and Zikmund
and Senators Peterson (Jim), Brown, Curd, Ewing, Fiegen, Frerichs,
Greenfield (Brock), Haggar (Jenna), Holien, Jensen (Phil), Monroe, Olson,
Omdahl, Otten (Ernie), Peters, Rampelberg, Rusch, Shorma, Solano,
Tidemann, Tieszen, Van Gerpen, Vehle, and White
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A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION, Urging the federal government to refrain from enacting
regulations that threaten the reliability and affordability of electric power in the northern
great plains.
WHEREAS, the citizens of South Dakota benefit from adequate, efficient, and affordable
electricity, a reliable electricity grid, and a diverse mix of generation sources; and
WHEREAS, having affordable electricity is vital to South Dakota jobs, economy, and the
well-being of its citizens; and
WHEREAS, high energy costs particularly affect low income and elderly persons; and
WHEREAS, over the last several years, the United States Environmental Protection Agency
has proposed several regulations that would enact a de facto ban on the construction of new,
efficient, and cost-effective coal-fired power plants, and threaten the continued operation of
existing coal-fired power plants; and
WHEREAS, in 2015 the United States Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation, and
Enforcement has proposed regulations that could significantly restrict access to the vast coal
reserves in North Dakota and Wyoming, on which South Dakota electric consumers rely; and
WHEREAS, in January 2016, the Department of the Interior announced a moratorium on
new federal coal leases at the urging of President Obama during his State of the Union Address;
and
WHEREAS, the United States Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Power Plan is
estimated to cost the American economy more than three hundred billion dollars, with no
measurable reduction in global carbon dioxide levels; and
WHEREAS, the United States Environmental Protection Agency's proposed regulations for
carbon dioxide emissions from new and existing coal-fired power plants go beyond the authority
provided by existing federal statutes; and
WHEREAS, if the federal government continues to issue regulations and administrative
actions that are not based on sound science, economic, and a technological reality, it will have
significant impact on consumer electricity costs, and the utilities that serve South Dakota will
struggle to provide low-cost, reliable electricity; and
WHEREAS, the cumulative effects of proposed federal regulations present a significant
threat to the viability and dependability of the northern great plains' electric grid:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the House of Representatives of the Ninety-First Legislature of the State of South Dakota, the Senate concurring therein, that the Legislature
of the State of South Dakota urges the federal government to refrain from continuing to impose
regulations and other administrative actions that prohibit or restrict the ability of utilities to
continue providing low-cost and reliable power; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the United States Environmental Protection Agency
refrain from finalizing regulations for carbon dioxide emission standards which requires new
coal-fired power plants to meet an emission standard that is not achievable with current
commercial technology, and which prematurely requires retirement or curtailment of existing
coal-fired power plants; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Legislature urges the federal government to work
with this state, the South Dakota congressional delegation, and the utilities that serve South
Dakota electricity consumers to design and implement regulatory programs that are based on
sound science, recognize the status of existing technology and development timelines, and that
make economic sense for South Dakota businesses and consumers; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the chief clerk of the House of Representatives forward
copies of this resolution by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the President of the United
States, the Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, and each
member of the South Dakota congressional delegation.
