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ND sues Minnesota over coal power restrictions

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Nov 2, 2011 at 10:42 am

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - North Dakota and the state's coal industry is suing the state of Minnesota to overturn a law that restricts imports of electricity that's generated by coal.

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem says the lawsuit is being filed in federal court in Minnesota.

The Minnesota law was approved in 2007. Minnesota lawmakers voted this year to relax its restrictions, but Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton vetoed the bill.

The lawsuit contends Minnesota's law is an unconstitutional restriction on doing business between states. Stenehjem says the law also doesn't cut down on carbon dioxide emissions or help to remedy global warming.

Minnesota is a major customer for electricity produced in western North Dakota's coal-fueled power plants.

Stenehjem says the law makes electricity more expensive for Minnesota consumers, and doesn't offer any environmental benefit.