ND Coal Industry -- Perfect Score -- Compliance Standards -- 2011

Link to the Bismarck Tribune.

North Dakota's four lignite coal mines achieved a year of no violations in 2011, the fourth time in mine history that the entire industry has earned a clean bill from the Public Service Commission.

PSC Commissioner Kevin Cramer said he and the staff look at mine operations throughout the year and said the 2011 achievement was especially notable during one of the wettest years on record.

Jim Deutsch, director of mine reclamation, said the good compliance record for the year is due to the longevity of many mine employees and their familiarity with both state and federal mine standards.

And in the big scheme of things, the oil and gas industry had a pretty good year, also.