December 5, 2025 - Helping secure the future of coal in the U.S. as well as right here in North Dakota, Senator John Hoeven reintroduced the National Coal Council Act this week in D.C.

But there’s also another purpose behind the bill, which is preserving the National Coal Council (NCC). The NCC is a federal advisory committee that provides recommendations and insights to the Department of Energy, relating to the coal industry.

Senator Hoeven says the NCC is pivotal in developing new innovations and technology, helping the U.S. make the best use of its coal resources.

If passed, Hoeven’s legislation would extend the NCC’s charter and codify it into law permanently, which would prevent it from being “done away with” in the future.

“It’s really important that we have the coal council for the long-term because we want our coal-fired electric baseload industry,” Hoeven said. “They’re providing energy for our country for generations to come.”

This was all done because in November of 2021, the Biden Administration allowed the NCC’s charter to expire, which meant that the organization was terminated.