(Bismarck Tribune 1-10-2010) North Dakota's coal-fired plants, regulated by the state and monitored by the health department, have a history of responsible citizenship when it comes to waste. Perhaps it's because of the important legislation written in the 1970s regarding coal mining, reclamation and power plant operations. The state was proactive in defining how the lignite-related industries would behave right from the beginning. Those regulations were the result of hard-fought hearings and debates, with passionate voices for and against development. There was no easy pass.