Dive Brief:

• Two moderate Democrats have introduced a bill to support clean coal by providing additional capital to make the fuel more affordable and keep it in the nation's energy mix.
• The bill, introduced by Sens. Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) and Tim Kaine (D-Va.), was also raised last year but did not advance.
• Heitkamp's state of North Dakota relies on coal for almost 80% of its electricity.

Dive Insight:

Heitkamp introduced the bill last and is trying again after it failed to move forward. According to the senator, the "Advanced Clean Coal Technology Investment in Our Nation Act" will help encourage coal plants to lower their carbon pollution through the use of advanced clean coal technologies by making capital more accessible and ultimately the technology more affordable.

According to the Lignite Energy Council, coal production in North Dakota grew by 4% since 2013.

“Building a strong future for our country absolutely includes a sound commitment to a diversified energy sector,” said Heitkamp. “When ​nearly 40% of our nation’s electricity in this country comes from coal – and almost 80% in North Dakota – it’s clear coal is a resource we need to continue to harness."

In a separate statement, Kaine said the bill "represents the large-scale R&D investment we need in cleaner coal technologies. If American innovators can successfully deploy these technologies, we can not only reduce the carbon intensity of our fossil fuels but also bolster our manufacturing exports ... This bill lays the groundwork for an effort that could pay economic and environmental dividends for years to come.”