ND PSC candidate backing carbon dioxide project

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The Democratic candidate for North Dakota's Public Service Commission says the Legislature should put aside $100 million for a carbon dioxide project.

Brad Crabtree says Basin Electric Power Cooperative is testing technology to retain 1 million tons of carbon dioxide each year from its Antelope Valley electric power station. Carbon dioxide emissions are blamed for global warming.

Crabtree says carbon retention technology needs to work if North Dakota's lignite mining and electric power industries are going to survive in the long term.

He says the federal government has already put $100 million into the effort, and Crabtree says the state needs to match it. He says the state's budget surplus can handle the expense.

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