Protect Affordable Energy — Send a Message on HB 1279 NOW

The future of affordable, reliable electricity in North Dakota is at risk.

The North Dakota Senate is refusing to fully support HB 1279 — a bill that would provide critical tax relief for our state’s coal industry. Without full support, the increased costs of generating electricity will be passed directly onto families, farmers, and businesses through higher electric bills.

Yesterday, CEOs from Basin Electric, Minnkota Power, and Rainbow Energy testified in person to a conference committee made up of House and Senate members. Every House member on the committee supported full coal conversion tax relief. Every Senator opposed it.

This is the fourth time the Senators on the Conference Committee have refused to support coal. With the session wrapping up in the coming days, there’s no time to waste.

The Senate’s refusal to support this bill puts your energy costs — and North Dakota’s energy security — in danger.
We need your voice now. Contact your State Senator today and demand full support for HB 1279.

Here’s how you can help:

1. Contact your State Senator
Find your Senator and their contact information here: Find Your State Senator

2. Send a message asking them to fully support coal conversion tax relief in HB 1279.
Use the sample email below or write your own.

3. Let us know you stand with coal.
Show your support by commenting on our social media or sharing with your friends.

Dear Senator [Last Name],
I am extremely concerned that the Senate’s refusal to fully support coal conversion tax relief in HB 1279 will directly cause higher electric bills for North Dakotans like me.
Instead of standing strong for affordable, reliable energy, the Senate’s current position weakens support for North Dakota’s coal industry — threatening grid reliability, raising costs, and hurting rural families and businesses that are already stretched thin.
The House acted to protect ratepayers. Now the Senate needs to do the same.
Without full tax relief, utilities will be forced to pass additional costs onto their customers, and it will be your constituents — people like me — who pay the price. Rate hikes are not hypothetical; they are guaranteed under the law if this bill is watered down.
I am asking you to:
Fully restore coal conversion tax relief in HB 1279.
Stand up for affordable, reliable electricity.
Protect the farms, businesses, and families that rely on North Dakota’s energy leadership.
If you don't act, rate increases will be the direct result of decisions made in the Senate.
I urge you to fully support coal conversion tax relief outlined in HB 1279 — no half-measures, no delays.
Please support full coal conversion tax relief — and protect the people you were elected to serve.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your City/Town]

Subject Line: Fix HB 1279 Now – Stop Higher Electric Bills

Instead of standing strong for affordable, reliable energy, the Senate’s current position weakens support for North Dakota’s coal industry — threatening grid reliability, raising costs, and hurting rural families and businesses that are already stretched thin.

The House acted to protect ratepayers. Now the Senate needs to do the same.

Without full tax relief, utilities will be forced to pass additional costs onto their customers, and it will be your constituents — people like me — who pay the price. Rate hikes are not hypothetical; they are guaranteed under the law if this bill is watered down.

I am asking you to:

Fully restore coal conversion tax relief in HB 1279.
Stand up for affordable, reliable electricity.
Protect the farms, businesses, and families that rely on North Dakota’s energy leadership.

If you don’t act, rate increases will be the direct result of decisions made in the Senate.

I urge you to fully support coal conversion tax relief outlined in HB 1279 — no half-measures, no delays.

Please support full coal conversion tax relief — and protect the people you were elected to serve.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your City/Town]