North Dakota Legislature Considers Directing Over $500 Million to Coal Industry

Several proposals are circulating through the Capitol that would direct hundreds of millions of tax dollars to the coal industry. Current estimates spilling out of Bismarck put the range of investment between $500 and $600 million over the next five years. Will the state be able to save the coal industry or will it simply slow down the transition to other energy sources?

The dollars are spread throughout a handful of bills being discussed and amended in the final weeks of the session. The approach makes it a tall task to follow. Perhaps that is the intent by backers. Dustin Garylow of the North Dakota Watchdog Network has been tracking the progress. He joined me on KFGO yesterday to discuss.