Lignite Coal Recommendations | Video

Jessica Roose | 9/10/2012

Public Service Commission candidate Brad Crabtree introduced his plans for sustaining the state`s lignite coal industry today. He says the state can become a global hub for lignite coal technology by doing some long term planning. He`s pushing for the development of a pipeline infrastructure to move carbon dioxide that is captured, to where it can be used to enhance oil recovery.

Crabtree is also pushing for a loan guarantee program through the Bank of North Dakota to encourage innovation in the private sector. Finally, he says the state should expand state tax credits and incentives.

"The nice thing about the tax credits is not immediately but with in a period of a few years the tax credits start to pay for themselves through the oil production that they make possible."

His opponent, Randy Christmann, says many of those recommendations are already in place, and the state needs to focus on advancing technology.

COMMENT ON THIS STORY