A concurrent resolution recognizing December 6th as annual "Miner's Day" to honor the hard work and dedication of coal miners, whose critical efforts provide reliable and affordable energy to millions of people, fuel economic growth, and support the energy security of North Dakota and the region.
Summary
House Concurrent Resolution 3017 is a ceremonial and policy-statement resolution that designates December 6 as annual “Miner’s Day” in North Dakota. It honors coal miners and the lignite coal industry for their role in providing electricity, supporting jobs, generating tax revenue, and contributing to the state’s economy and energy security. The resolution also frames lignite coal as central to affordable power, regional reliability, and long-term resource development.
Beyond the commemorative designation, the resolution contains a series of findings and federal policy requests. It urges the federal government to avoid regulations that would make electric power less reliable or affordable, to revisit and repeal the 2009 EPA Endangerment Finding, and to create a more favorable regulatory environment for coal. It also calls for collaboration on technologies such as carbon capture, critical mineral and rare earth extraction, activated carbon, synthetic graphite, and other value-added uses of lignite coal.
Impact
As a concurrent resolution, HCR 3017 does not change North Dakota statutes, create new regulatory requirements, or appropriate funds. Its legal effect is limited to expressing the Legislature’s views, formally recognizing Miner's Day, and directing the Secretary of State to transmit the resolution to federal officials and the North Dakota congressional delegation. The practical impact is political and symbolic: it reinforces state support for the lignite coal industry and advocates for federal policy changes affecting coal-fired generation, emissions regulation, and related energy and mineral development.
Sentiment
The available vote history shows strong support in the House, with adoption on second reading by a vote of 84-5. The resolution’s tone is strongly favorable toward coal mining, lignite development, and fossil-fuel-based energy policy. The lack of committee transcript material suggests there is no recorded committee debate in the provided materials, but the floor vote indicates broad legislative approval with only limited opposition.
Contention
The main points of contention are the resolution’s criticism of federal environmental and energy policy, especially the call to repeal the EPA’s 2009 Endangerment Finding and the claim that federal rules disadvantage coal. Supporters view these provisions as necessary to protect affordable, reliable power and coal-related jobs, while opponents are likely to object to the resolution’s climate-policy framing and its advocacy for weakening federal greenhouse-gas regulation. Another area of tension is the resolution’s endorsement of continued coal use and expansion of coal technologies in contrast to broader clean-energy and decarbonization goals.