"Judge Strikes Down Minnesota's Anti-Coal Energy Law"

"A federal judge on Friday struck down a landmark 2007 Minnesota law that bans new power generation from coal, saying it regulates business activities of out-of-state utilities in violation of the U.S. Constitution’s commerce clause.

U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson enjoined the state from enforcing key sections of the law, which North Dakota coal and utility interests said hampered their ability to find buyers for power from existing coal-fired generating plants or to plan for new ones.

'It is a complete victory for us,' North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem said in an interview.

Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton said the state will appeal the ruling and “oppose North Dakota’s intentions with every means at our disposal.”"

David Shaffer reports for the Minneapolis Star Tribune April 18, 2014.