Groups Suing Kramer and Kalk

| 3/26/2012

Two North Dakota groups are ready to file a lawsuit against Public Service Commissioners Kevin Cramer and Brian Kalk. They`re accusing the commissioners of taking campaign contributions from officials of South Heart Coal while the company is seeking a mining permit, and other issues.

Eight months ago members of the Dakota Resource Council and the Dakotah Chapter of Sierra Club asked Commissioners Cramer and Kalk to recuse themselves from deliberations on the South Heart Coal mining permit.

They have refused.

The groups have decided to file a lawsuit against the commissioners. The groups will be holding a conference on the matter today at the state capitol.

In a press release, Kalk said the following: "This lawsuit is frivolous and political. The two contributions cited were made in 2008 and 2009. They were lawful and legal donations made by an individual to my campaign. They were reported as required and, as with all contributions, transparent for all to see."

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