The Environmental Protection Agency may seem distant, as it held hearings on proposed carbon emission rules in Denver last week, but Montanans should make no mistake — the EPA’s pursuits would have direct and harmful impacts on Montana’s significant energy and economic potential.

The agency seeks to impose a draconian 30 percent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions nationwide by 2030, a move that is predicted to drive up electricity rates and continue to choke off an economic sector that is vitally important to Montana’s future.

This state is among the richest in terms of its coal reserves, and war is being waged against coal on all fronts. True enough, coal production is having to contend with the free market force of inexpensive natural gas, but it also must deal with the proposed emission rules, existing regulations that make building new coal-fired plants cost-prohibitive, and ongoing efforts by environmental groups to block coastal terminals that would facilitate coal exports.

All of this is entirely relevant to Montana’s economic welfare. While Flathead Electric Cooperative relies mostly on hydropower, about 53 percent of the state gets its power from coal, which allows residents to have the 14th lowest power rates in the nation.

More than 1,600 jobs in mines and power plants are supported by coal, and the industry pays into the state’s coal trust fund and it contributes greatly to many counties and schools.

But it could do so much more. Much of the state’s coal reserves are untapped, including the Otter Creek reserves that are owned by the state. The school trust fund would see immense benefits if Otter Creek can ever be put into production.  

The federal government, meanwhile, couldn’t be doing more to kill Montana’s coal industry and drive up the cost of power for Montanans who have among the lowest per capita incomes in the country.

USA Today reports that 35 percent of Americans are faced with collections for debts that include unpaid utility bills. There can be no doubt that an ongoing, costly crusade against carbon dioxide will drive that number up.

It’s time for Montana’s representatives to represent Montana, and do so vigorously. Coal extraction is an important part of our past and future, and the state needs to join with other coal-producing states to fight back against unreasonable regulations.

Editorials represent the majority opinion of the Daily Inter Lake’s editorial board.