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Committee adopts amended resolution to recognize Dec. 6 as Miners Day
Summary
The House Energy and Natural Resources Committee adopted an amended House Concurrent Resolution 30 17 to recognize Dec. 6 as Miners Day; supporters framed it as honoring coal miners and the coal industry’s economic contributions, and the committee placed the amended resolution on the consent calendar.
Representative Anna Novak introduced House Concurrent Resolution 30 17 to recognize December 6 as Miners Day, emphasizing her personal ties to mining and the coal industry’s economic role. “House concurrent resolution 30 17 recognizes December 6 as miner's day in honor of the hardworking men and women in North Dakota's coal industry,” Novak said, and she cited testimony estimating the industry’s economic activity and jobs.
Jonathan Fortner of the Lignite Energy Council testified in support, repeating figures he attributed to the industry: more than $5.5 billion in business activity, roughly 12,000 jobs, and about $100 million in state and local tax revenue, and he highlighted lignite’s role in electricity generation and research on carbon capture and critical-mineral extraction. Zach Smith of the North Dakota Association of Electric Cooperatives also testified in support.
Representative Novak told the committee she submitted an amended version (version 1,001) that added language about critical and rare-earth elements; she moved to adopt the amendment and sought a due-pass recommendation. Representative Hedlund questioned whether the resolution should be read on the House floor to give miners public recognition, but the committee adopted the amendment by voice vote and later approved a due-pass as amended and placed the resolution on the consent calendar.
No organized opposition testified at the hearing.
