April 28th, 2016

Jason Bohrer
President
Lignite Energy Council
1016 E. Owens Avenue
Bismarck, North Dakota
58501
Dear President Bohrer,
We are writing to express our unequivocal support for North Dakotas lignite industry and its importance
to our state in the years to come. The industry has a proud history of development and stewardship in
North Dakota; likewise coal country has some of the highest paying jobs per capita in the state. The
industry has had a heritage of reclamation for decadesa record second to none. That was clearly
evident last month, when we visited Falkirk with Jay Kost and members of our team.
Our 800 year supply of lignite represents an enormous resource for North Dakota that provides some of
the least expensive power in the country, and powers many of our neighbors to the east. Research done
throughout the industry, and through the Lignite Research Council, EERC and NDIC is vital to the future
of the industry. If elected, we will continue that support. We recognize the achievements of beating
threats from the past, whether PSD, mercury rules, regional haze, or externality litigation with Minnesota.
In each case, you would again have our full support from the Governors office.
Our adult lives have been in the private sector where we know the impact the federal government has on
private business. Weve fought federal interference in businesses weve managed and invested in. The
threat of a motivated federal government on the coal industry is real and we will use the full weight of the
Governors office to support the industry which is such a key part of our economic fabric.
We have the deepest regard for the industry, the contributions it has made to our state, and its importance
to the future of North Dakota. We are opposed to the Obama administration's overreach on energy,
including the Clean Power Plan, any efforts to impose cap and trade, and their war on coal and the
fossil fuel industry.
We believe in an all-of-the-above approach to energy that promotes domestic energy production and
contributes to our nations energy independence. You will have our full support if we are elected.
If you have any questions or concerns, please let us know. We look forward to visiting with you in the
weeks ahead.
Sincerely,
Doug Burgum and Brent Sanford
Republican candidates for Governor and Lt. Governor