Gillette Asked to Fund Opposition of Carbon Pollution Rules

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Associated Press

GILLETTE, Wyo. — A special interest group supporting the coal industry has asked Gillette to help fund its battle against the Environmental Protection Agency’s new carbon pollution rules.

The Gillette News Record reports that Texas-based Energy Policy Network has asked the city to contribute monthly or quarterly grants to underwrite the work.

Earlier this year the EPA introduced the so-called “Clean Power Plan,” which would require states to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 32 percent from 2005 levels by 2030 and targets the coal industry.

Former state senator Kelly Mader, who now heads the Energy Policy Network, says the organization is fighting the rule by working with state officials to defend coal and find other ways to reduce carbon emissions.

The Gillette City Council says they will discuss Mader’s proposal next week.