Editorial: Reliable, Affordable Power for North Dakota

Why the EPA rollback matters to Cass County Electric members

On Sept. 14, 2026, the Environmental Protection Agency repealed key provisions of Biden-era greenhouse gas regulations for U.S. power plants—a significant step toward protecting the reliable, affordable electricity our communities depend on.

But the work is not finished. Runtime limits remain for natural gas-fired plants, creating uncertainty as electricity demand rises nationwide.

North Dakota and other regions that rely on dispatchable generation must preserve coal and natural gas resources. During peak demand, these plants supply the baseload power that keeps lights on, homes warm, and local economies moving.

Jim Matheson, CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, called the regulations unlawful, unrealistic, and unachievable. He warned that they threatened reliability and affordability when the nation needs more dependable power, not less.

What it means for members

• Continued access to dependable, affordable energy from the coal-fired Milton R. Young Station.
• Continued planning for resources to meet future power needs.
• Continued evaluation of carbon capture and storage at our coal-fired plants.
• Continued environmental stewardship.

What comes next

The repeal allows electric cooperatives to keep existing power plants operating. Yet limits on new natural gas plants remain, restricting many proposed facilities to no more than 40% of their runtime and making it harder to add the dependable generation that future growth requires.

Cass County Electric and cooperatives nationwide will continue to urge the EPA to repeal the remaining restrictions. We will advocate for a balanced mix of reliable, affordable resources because dependable electricity is the foundation of quality of life, economic growth, and strong communities.

That advocacy is strongest when members participate in the democratic process. Voting is both a civic responsibility and an opportunity to help shape decisions at the local, state, and federal levels, including policies that affect energy reliability, affordability, infrastructure, and the strength of our communities. Civic engagement does not require us to agree on every issue; it asks us to stay informed, consider how public policy affects our neighbors, and make our voices heard at the ballot box.

Cass County Electric members can also make their voices heard through Voices for Cooperative Power, a nonpartisan grassroots network that helps cooperative members learn about energy policy and share their perspectives with policymakers. By learning, engaging, and voting, we can help ensure rural and suburban communities continue to have access to reliable, affordable electricity for years to come. Learn more and get involved at CassCountyElectric.com/voices-cooperative-power.