Events surrounding Summit Carbon Solutions' proposed pipeline to transport carbon dioxide from Midwest ethanol plants for sequestration in Mercer and Oliver Counties grabbed the most headlines among North Dakota energy stories in 2023. Other issues in WDEAs' Top Ten list include the Biden administration EPA’s ongoing War on Coal and the fossil fuel industry, the Corps of Engineers' draft EIS for the Dakota Access Pipeline crossing of the Missouri River south of Bismarck, and a couple mega-mergers affecting North Dakota oil producers.

1. Summit Carbon Solutions – Many were surprised in August by a decision of the ND Public Service Commission to deny a siting permit for the Midwest Carbon Express CO2 Pipeline Project, indicating that Summit failed to demonstrate the project would not cause adverse effects on the environment and the citizens of North Dakota. Summit filed its application in October 2022 to construct 320 miles of carbon dioxide pipeline in North Dakota, as well as a pipeline network in four neighboring states to gather CO2 from more than 30 ethanol plants. The proposed route of the ND portion would cross through parts of Burleigh, Cass, Dickey, Emmons, Logan, McIntosh, Morton, Oliver, Richland and Sargent Counties. The CO2 would then be injected into underground pore space for permanent sequestration at sites in Mercer and Oliver Counties.
The PSC subsequently voted 2-to-1 to reconsider its denial, and a procedural schedule is pending.

2. DAPL Draft EIS – Another rather shocking story of 2023 was the long-awaited release of the Corps of Engineers’ draft Environmental Impact Statement on an easement for Dakota Access Pipeline’s Missouri River crossing south of Bismarck. What surprised many was the Corps did not recommend reissuing the easement, even though the crude oil pipeline has been safely transporting up to 700,000 barrels per day for more than six years. Instead, the Corps proposed five alternatives, three of which would require the pipeline to shut down. The State of North Dakota, oil industry groups and others unloaded on the Corps as part of the EIS comment period, characterizing the environmental review as a “highly politicized process.” The state’s cover letter said with thousands of water crossings in the United States, “it is absurd that the Corps continues to fixate on one of the most modern crossings in the country." The Corps is expected to issue the final EIS with its decision on the easement in April 2024.

3. Biden’s War on Coal – Few were surprised that as part of its climate agenda, the Biden Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency launched a barrage of proposed regulations aimed a shutting down the coal industry in the United States. Topping the list was the EPA’s proposed Carbon Rule, the goal of which is to nearly eliminate CO2 emissions from coal and natural gas plants by requiring CO2 capture equipment for plants that remain in service by 2040. Plants can only avoid the requirements by committing to retire by the 2030s. Industry groups lambasted the proposed rule, pointing out that existing CO2 capture systems used to justify the rules are either subsidized or are not commercial, and that deadlines to install CO2 capture systems on existing coal plants are not realistic. The EPA also proposed tightening of its Mercury and Air Toxics Standard (MATS), which would impose emission reduction requirements that are technologically unachievable at lignite-fired plants.

4. Oil Industry Mergers – Chevron Corporation announced in October that it had entered into an agreement with Hess Corporation to acquire Hess in an all-stock transaction valued at $53 billion. Hess assets in the Bakken add another shale play to Chevron’s operations, which already include shale production in the DJ and Permian Basin. Hess production in North Dakota dates back to the discovery of oil in 1951. That first successful well was completed by Amerada Petroleum, which Hess later acquired.
Earlier in the year, Exxon Mobil Corporation announced it had entered into an agreement to acquire Denbury Resources, a company whose business model is based largely on the injection of carbon dioxide into depleted formations for enhanced oil recovery. Denbury assets include a CO2 injection operation in Bowman County. The acquisition was an all-stock transaction valued at $4.9 billion.
Energy Transfer also announced in November the completion of its previously announced merger with Crestwood Equity Partners, which operates midstream assets in the Williston Basin. Its value was pegged at $7.1 billion. Crestwood operations in the Williston Basin gather crude oil and produced water, and gather and process natural gas covering 550,000 acres in eastern Montana and North Dakota.

5. Basin Electric Buildout – Basin Electric Power Cooperative’s board of directors authorized several generation and transmission projects to meet its growing peak demand, primarily driven by oil and gas development in western North Dakota. Work is underway on a series of natural gas generators near Williston that will deliver 583 megawatts of additional generating capacity. Pioneer Generation Station Phase IV, Basin's largest generation project since the 1980s, will consist of six reciprocating internal combustion engines and two combustion turbines. Three new electric transmission projects are also under development, aimed at improving reliability for co-op customers in northwestern North Dakota. The projects include a planned high voltage line that will add 110 miles of new 230-kilovolt electric transmission from existing Basin Electric substations to the Canadian border. Basin is also working on a Leland Olds Station-to-Tande transmission project, which includes 175-miles of 345 kilovolt transmission line and a new 345/115-kV substation, and the Roundup-to-Kummer Ridge 345-kV transmission project, a 35-mile line north of Killdeer. Click here to see Basin Electric's top stories of 2023.

6. Oil Industry Legislation – The 2023 North Dakota Legislature enacted several bills of importance to the oil industry. HB 1286 removed the trigger that increased the oil extraction tax from 5% to 6% when the price climbs above a specified level. The higher tax kicked in last year when oil prices climbed above $100/barrel, netting the state an additional $135 million in tax revenue, which industry officials said could have otherwise been re-invested in drilling activity. Legislators also approved HB 1272 that creates a new category of non-producing oil well, giving the industry time to develop technology to produce more oil from the well. Previously a well in abandoned status had to be either returned to production or plugged and reclaimed within six months. HB 1014, the budget bill for the Industrial Commission, provided ongoing funding for the Clean Sustainable Energy Authority (CSEA), an $11.3 million appropriation to support the development of two underground salt caverns, and $3 million for ongoing support of the iPIPE program's pipeline leak prevention research.

7. Pushback on ESG – The 2023 Legislature approved HB 1429, a bill sponsored by Hazen Rep. Anna Novak aimed at pushing back against unfair environmental and social governance (ESG) criteria in insurance, investment, and management of public funds. The legislation codified the State Investment Board's practice of avoiding social investments, and requires that insurability decisions are based on actual risk rather than ideological factors. The bill also added proxy voting requirements for firms that invest state funds, and provided for a study by the Bank of North Dakota to evaluate the state's involvement with companies that use ESG criteria. The bill was intended to send a signal that North Dakota doesn't want to do business with companies that would harm the state's most important industries – energy and agriculture. Other energy-producing states have enacted similar laws, and they are having the desired effect. Investment giants such as Blackrock and Vanguard are reversing their ideology, rejecting climate and social concerns, and concentrating on financial performance.

8. Highway 85 Four-Lane Project – The North Dakota Department of Transportation awarded a contract to Central Specialties Inc. to construct the four-lane divided highway between Watford City and the Long X Bridge. The Alexandria, Minnesota contractor submitted the low bid of $77,229,503 for the 10.29 miles of Hwy 85 between the bridge and the Watford City bypass. Most of the work during the year involved grading, installation of drainage structures and ensuring the stability of the road surface in the Little Missouri Badlands, an area with hillsides composed of soft silts and clays and sparse vegetation. By season’s end, a portion of the project had been paved but was not yet open to traffic. Late in the year, NDDOT was awarded a $55 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to help fund the next portion of the four-lane work. The funding will be used to four-lane about 13 miles of the highway north of the junction with Highway 200, excluding the 6.5 miles immediately south of the Long X bridge.

9. Career and Tech Ed Development – Career academies, aimed at addressing workforce challenges by providing more technical training opportunities to young people, were completed or under construction throughout North Dakota. The 13 projects, which required a local match, were funded by an $88 million appropriation of federal pandemic relief dollars during a 2021 special legislative session. The 2023 Legislature appropriated an additional $26.5 million to address inflationary costs. The Southwest Area Career Academy in Dickinson began welcoming students this past spring in buildings formerly owned by Halliburton Corporation that have been renovated to offer training in automotive, culinary arts, diesel tech and welding. The Minot Area Workforce Academy launched its first career and technical courses in August, offering CDL and early childhood education training following renovation of the former Cognizant building that came with property provided to Minot for its new high school, which is under construction. The Bakken Area Skill Center in Watford City is prepared to open its doors January 15, 2024. The Williston Basin CTE center on the grounds of Williston High School is expected to be completed and ready for students by the fall of 2024. 

10. Burgum Elevates Energy – Governor Doug Burgum announced a long-shot campaign for the US Presidency in June, and although he eventually dropped out of the race this month, his campaign was successful in elevating the importance of energy to national security. Burgum appeared in two GOP debates, and in both hammered on the Biden administration for its energy policies which he said are "going 180 degrees in the wrong direction." He said Biden fails to recognize the connection between energy security and national security, and the threat posed by adversaries like China, Russia and Iran. Burgum also said regulations proposed by Biden's EPA in its Carbon Rule are aimed at forcing the shutdown of all US coal plants by 2040, threatening the reliability of the electric grid, while China is opening two new coal plants a week. His efforts were successful in injecting his focus on the importance of energy into the speaking points of the other presidential candidates. The Burgum campaign even produced a video showing the other candidates parroting his comments on energy dominance.

Highway departments in the five "non-major" oil-producing counties have applied for grants from a new Flexible Transportation Fund approved by the 2023 Legislature.

Separate road projects in Billings, Bowman, Burke, Divide and Stark Counties seek grants from the fund that is intended to help create local transportation corridors, improve safety and support economic development efforts. The four counties are classified as oil-producing counties because they receive more than $5 million annually in gross production tax revenue, but receive significantly less than the Big Four producing counties of Dunn, McKenzie, Mountrail and Williams. 

The legislation set aside 25 percent of the fund for non-oil producing counties and townships, but all counties are eligible to apply for the remainder, which the ND Department of Transportation refers to as the Partner Allocation. 

Stark County's project would use county roads to effectively create an east bypass around the City of Dickinson, connecting Interstate 94 to Highway 22 north of the city. Truck traffic from the east planning to travel north must now navigate a busy four-lane road that has seven traffic lights between Interstate 94 and the open stretch of Highway 22 to the north. The county has been working with Northern Plains Engineering, which has already completed the design work, so the bypass could be considered a “shovel ready project.”

Billings County is seeking a Flex Fund grant to address public safety concerns on Chateau Road, which provides access off Pacific Avenue to the Burning Hills Amphitheatre and Medora Musical. It is also currently the only point of access to the future Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum. The primary concern is that Chateau Road is narrow and does not have a shoulder or center lane that can be used by emergency vehicles. The proposed improvements will not only provide a wider path for emergency responders, but also for tour buses to access the local attractions.

Bowman County has submitted applications for three projects, one of which would pave a mile-long section of 144th Avenue SW on the east side of Bowman. The county road is frequently used by heavy trucks that, because of weight limits, are not allowed to travel on Highway 85 through town, and are instead routed onto the county road which is currently chip sealed. Another Bowman County proposal would replace a bridge in Minnehaha Township south of town, and the third project would cut down a hill on a gravel road to improve safety and visibility.

The projects proposed in Burke and Divide Counties are similar in nature. Both would improve county roads that carry an increasing amount of heavy oilfield truck traffic. The Divide County project would pave 12 miles of County Road 3, which connects another county road to Westby, Montana on the state border. Heavy trucks associated with new oil drilling activity in the area have taken a toll on the road, which is also a primary corridor for school bus traffic between Grenora and Westby. The current road surface is a double chip seal over a gravel road.

Burke County has applied for funding to pave 12 miles of County Road 8 west of Bowbells, which connects ND Highway 8 to another major county road. The current surface is gravel that has had a cement treatment to harden the road and reduce dust. 

The application deadline is December 31. Applications for the Partner Allocation will be reviewed by NDDOT staff, and projects will be selected for funding by the NDDOT Director. Click here to read the Flex Fund guidance document.

Crews from North American Coal were working this week to secure and repair a dragline at the Coyote Creek Mine south of Beulah that slid part way off the working area underneath the dragline, otherwise known as the bench.

The incident happened about 4:10 Tuesday afternoon, December 26, according to David Straley, Vice President of External Affairs for North American Coal. Straley said destabilization of the bench caused the dragline to tilt toward the pit and become stuck. The dragline and bench area have been stabilized with the use of other equipment, Straley said.

There were no injuries during the incident. Straley said efforts were underway to safely return the dragline back to its purpose of removing overburden from lignite coal deposits. As of late this morning, the dragline was nearly back on level ground. Straley said the dragline sustained only minor damage, and estimated it would return to normal operations in seven to ten days.

The Marion 8400 dragline weighs about 7.12 million pounds, and has been in operation at the mine since 2016. The massive machine was originally put into service in 1972 at a mine in British Columbia. It operated there for 30 years before being refurbished and acquired by North American, which reassembled the dragline on site in 2015 and put it back into service in January 2016. The mine supplies the nearby Coyote Station 425-megawatt coal-fired power plant with around 2 million tons of coal per year. 

Click here to watch a video of the dragline assembly operation.

Turnabout is fair play. After electric cooperatives from eastern North Dakota helped restore power after late spring snowstorms hit northwestern North Dakota in April 2022, this week co-ops from the west were in eastern North Dakota helping restore power after an ice storm brought down hundreds of power poles.

According to a Cass County Electric Cooperative Facebook post, crews from Roughrider Electric Cooperative, Burke-Divide Electric Cooperative, McKenzie Electric Cooperative, and Mountrail-Williams Electric Cooperative were on site to aid in the power restoration process. Western line crews were also helping to restore power at other cooperatives in central and eastern North Dakota. Cass County officials estimated the storm toppled 250-to-300 poles in its service territory. Minnkota Power Cooperative, wholesale supplier for some of the co-ops in the region, was working on transmission lines and substations that were also damaged by the storm.

A Facebook post by Mountrail-Williams indicated the co-op was bringing "bucket trucks, service trucks, digger derrick, track digger, tracked skid steers, trailers, and more" to assist in the power restoration efforts. The post said the support echoes the spirit of cooperation that defines the cooperative movement.

"Dakota Valley Electric Cooperative and Cass County Electric Cooperative were there for us during the April snowstorm of 2022, and now it's our turn to return the favor," the post said. "Together, we are not just utilities, but a network of cooperatives supporting each other and ensuring the well-being of our communities.

Cass County officials said they were likely looking at the weekend or longer before a full system restoral is possible, "depending on the weather, conditions on roads and right-of-ways, and additional damage found as we patrol."

Click here to read an article from Minnkota Power about its restoration efforts.

Attorney General Drew Wrigley announced this week that North Dakota will be part of a 21-state coalition challenging a new Biden Administration rule from the Department of Transportation mandating that all states establish targets to reduce on-road carbon dioxide emissions.

The lawsuit argues that Congress has not given the U.S. Department of Transportation the authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, and that the rule will unlawfully cause significant harm to the economies of the states and the pocketbooks of their residents, with the harm falling disproportionality harder on rural states where residents must drive significantly more than in urban states.

“This rule is yet another effort by the Biden administration to unconstitutionally and unlawfully use federal administrative agencies to push a climate agenda where Congress has granted no authority to implement such actions,” said Wrigley. “We will continue to push back against regulatory overreach by the Department of Transportation, and every other agency in the federal government engaged in this sort of unlawful conduct.”

In the complaint filed in the United States District Court in Kentucky, the coalition of states assert that the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) overstepped its legal authority.

“Congress has not given FHWA or DOT authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions," the coalition wrote. "Nor can the agencies compel the states to administer a federal regulatory program or mandate them to further executive policy wishes absent some other authority to do so, which is lacking as to this rule.”

Further, the attorneys general note that the FHWA previously issued a similar rule, which was repealed after the agency determined that the measure may duplicate “existing efforts in some states” and imposed “unnecessary burdens on state DOTs and metropolitan planning organizations that were not contemplated by Congress."

The ND Department of Environmental Quality is planning a second round of online input forums to discuss methods of reducing emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.

The Online Sustainability Input Forums set for January 9-11 will share the feedback gathered from DEQ's first round of in-person forums, and offer an opportunity for North Dakotans to provide input on proposed reduction strategies. The effort is supported through a planning grant from the Environmental Protection Agency and its "Climate Pollution Reduction Grants" program.

Feedback from the forums will be used to develop North Dakota’s initial action plan and corresponding grant request, due to EPA by Spring 2024. Ideas, perspectives, research and planning from the process will also inform the state’s longer-term sustainability planning and work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Each Online Sustainability Input Forum will be held via ZOOM and recorded for replay on the DEQ website. To participate in any of the three sessions, participants are asked to register on the DEQ website. After registering, they will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Click here for more information about the sustainability forums, or to register for one of the online Zoom sessions. Recordings of previous forums are also available at the link.

By Jeff Beach | North Dakota Monitor

The North Dakota legislator who was caught on camera in a drunken tirade against police says he is “seriously mulling all aspects” of his future, but did not resign his seat in a statement posted Wednesday. 

Rep. Nico Rios, R-Williston, posted a statement on X, formerly Twitter, asking for forgiveness a day after Republican leaders said he should resign. Rios said he will seek help for alcoholism. 

“Although I have no right to ask, I am appealing to you all for the help I need to get sober and repair the damage I have done,” Rios said at the end of his statement. 

Rios berated a Williston police officer trying to arrest him for drunken driving on Dec. 15 and police body camera footage shows him attempting to use his position as a legislator to influence the police. 

“Any lawmaker attempting to use his or her elected position to threaten anyone or skirt the law is completely unacceptable,” House Majority Leader Mike Lefor said in a statement Tuesday calling for Rios to resign. 

In the bodycam footage, the freshman lawmaker is shown berating a Williston police officer. The police report notes Rios using racist and homophobic language. The report indicates Rios is charged with driving under the influence, refusal to provide a chemical test and open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle. A court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 4. 

Rios said he had been at a Christmas party before being pulled over. Click here to read the full text of the statement Rios posted on X.

Governor Doug Burgum will deliver his 2024 State of the State Address at 10 a.m. MST January 23 at Dickinson State University’s Dorothy Stickney Auditorium.

Burgum and Lt. Gov. Tammy Miller this week marked the completion of the administration’s seventh year, reflecting on a year of landmark legislation and milestones that included a record tax relief package, major investments in child care, workforce and infrastructure, and expanded support for law enforcement and the military. 

“The historic progress made in the past year reminds us that even the most intractable and seemingly insurmountable challenges can be solved when we work together with the best interests of North Dakota’s incredible citizens at heart,” Burgum said. “These accomplishments are a testament to the innovation by our strong private sector, the hard work of our citizens and the relentless efforts by our state team members who strive every day to empower people, improve lives and inspire success.”

The administration’s seventh year began with Burgum appointing Governor’s Office Chief Operating Officer Tammy Miller to serve as lieutenant governor, succeeding former Lt. Gov. Brent Sanford, who returned to the private sector. 

Miller, the former CEO of Fargo-based electrical distributor Border States, officially assumed the role of lieutenant governor on Jan. 3, 2023 – the same day the 68th Legislative Assembly convened for a regular session that would see the passage of several landmark pieces of legislation.

Click here to read a news release that details the administration's accomplishments. Click here to watch Burgum's video recapping 2023.

By Dorothy Watson | Mental Wellness Center

Moving to a different location after facing hardships can seem overwhelming but can also serve as an opportunity for change. Whether you're escaping a bad relationship, recovering from addiction, or simply seeking a fresh environment, the path ahead is filled with possibility. As you enter this new phase, it's crucial to approach it with the right mindset and tools. This article serves as your manual for making the most out of this life-altering transition.

Go Back to School - One of the best ways to give your life a much-needed restart is by going back to school. There are plenty of options as well – including computer science – which can open doors in terms of your career. If you’re open to the flexibility of online learning platforms, take some time to learn about the different options and give yourself the training you need to revitalize your career.

Assembling Your Circle of Trust - Having people around you who are uplifting and reliable is crucial when starting anew. While you might not have friends or family in the new city initially, you can always connect with old acquaintances online or even find support groups in your area. These connections can offer emotional sustenance, practical advice, and networking opportunities that can make your life easier. Don't underestimate the power of a strong social circle; they are your allies in this new adventure.

Developing a Roadmap for Success - A life without objectives is like a ship without a compass. What are your aspirations in this new setting? Would you like to go back to school, climb the corporate ladder, or perhaps pursue a creative endeavor? Setting up benchmarks will give you something to strive for. Your goals don't have to be monumental; sometimes, small, manageable aims can provide the daily focus you need.

Sobriety as a Foundation - If you're grappling with addiction issues, now may be the right time to take control. When getting help with recovery, seek out facilities with strong reputations for helping people rebuild their lives. Committing to sobriety isn't just about leaving behind a harmful habit; it's about creating the conditions where a new you can emerge. This is a foundational step that could influence all the others positively.

Engaging with Locals - Getting to know your neighbors, attending community events, and volunteering are excellent ways to integrate yourself into your new environment. These activities can introduce you to potential friends and help you feel rooted in your new city. Feeling connected to your community can make the difficulties and stressors associated with relocating much easier to handle.

Cultivating an Optimistic Attitude - Positivity is more than just a buzzword; it's a crucial ingredient in your recipe for a successful transition. Seeing obstacles as opportunities to learn will help you grow. Moreover, a positive, optimistic mindset can improve your mental health, make you more resilient, and even attract positive people into your life.

Making the Most of Digital Tools - The internet can be your best friend during this period. If you’re thinking about going back on the job market but you could use some help on the fundamentals, click here to find out what a cover letter is and get some tips to help you stand out from the competition. Also, use social media to keep in touch with loved ones from your past, and employ mapping apps to explore your new environment. Numerous platforms can help you find local events, job opportunities, or even social circles with similar interests.

Understanding the Importance of Patience - Starting over is neither simple nor immediate. Understand that it's okay to take things slow. Celebrate minor wins (like making a new friend or hitting a small milestone) as they come. This will boost your morale and provide the stamina needed to keep going for the long term. Embarking on a new life in an unfamiliar city following personal setbacks offers both challenges and the promise of renewal. By capitalizing on modern technology, going back to school, getting back on the job market, and permitting yourself the grace of time, you can make this transitional phase a rewarding new start. Harness this moment as a stepping stone to greater things, and remember, your capacity for resilience is your gateway to a brighter tomorrow.

Western Dakota Energy Association is here to serve the counties, cities and school districts in the oil and coal-producing regions of North Dakota. Let us know if you have any questions.

Minot State University and the Northwest Arts Center (NAC) worked in collaboration with the Mandan Hidatsa Arikara (MHA) Interpretive Center to repatriate a war shirt of Chief Drags Wolf to his descendants in late November.

An important piece of Hidatsa heritage, the war shirt has been in Minot State’s possession as part of the Ralph Hubbard Special Collection. Hubbard, a former professor at MSU, donated it as part of his extensive collection to the University in 1986.

“MSU and the Northwest Arts Center are proud of the long history we have collaborating with our tribal partners,” said Minot State President Dr. Steven Shirley. “Ensuring the war shirt of Chief Drags Wolf is returned home and properly displayed at the MHA Interpretive Center helps continue this collaborative spirit. Many students from the MHA Nation have attended MSU over the years, and we look forward to continuing to partner with our MHA friends and neighbors.”

Minot State began to examine its Native American Collection of approximately 450 items of clothing, decorative crafts, and other artifacts during the Northwest Arts Center renovation in the lower level of MSU’s Gordon B. Olson Library in 2018. During renovation of the new arts center space and collection restoration, members of the MSU community closely examined the entire Native American Collection.

Foremost among the collection, Chief Drags Wolf’s war shirt was identified as an item to be returned to his family and the MHA Interpretive Center. NAC Director Greg Vettel and others traveled to the MHA Interpretive Center in New Town in November and met with more than two dozen of Drags Wolf’s descendants, for an emotional ceremony returning the war shirt that included prayers, riders from the X’oshga Clan, and a drum to perform his song welcoming the war shirt home.

The MHA Interpretive Center plans on documenting and interpreting the symbols covering the shirt for future generations before displaying it at the center this summer.

Western North Dakota was spared the ravages of the ice storm that knocked out power and caused other damage in the eastern part of the state, but unlike a typical winter, it has also been spared of any significant snowfall, leaving parts of southwestern ND completely snowless. Some of that imagery was captured this week by the high-definition cameras on WDEA's Wise Roads weather stations. Photos from Wise Roads cameras are updated continuously throughout the daylight hours on the Wise Roads web page.

The Wise Roads project (Weather Information System to Effectively Reduce Oilfield Delays and Disruptions) was developed by WDEA to increase the efficiency of the movement of oilfield truck traffic. Most weather stations were placed in the core area of Bakken production, focusing on Dunn, McKenzie, Mountrail and Williams Counties. The project provides more accurate weather information to county road managers, especially about rain events, to minimize the need to impose weight restrictions when gravel roads get wet. It was developed in partnership with NDAWN, which maintains the stations for WDEA. The project was also assisted with a $250,000 grant from the Oil & Gas Research Council.

Fifty new stations have been installed, 39 of which are located in the four core oil-producing counties. Prior to the start of the project, Dunn and McKenzie Counties had just one station each, Mountrail County had three and Williams County had four. Weather station data and high-resolution photos can be found at wiseroadsnd.com. Additional information is also available from NDAWN. 

Featured shots this week are clockwise from upper left, Marmarth and a completely snowless prairie; Center, with horses grazing a field with just a few specks of snow; New Hradec, with a water truck passing over a culvert with just a bit of snow; and Croff, with a streaming Christmas Eve sunset. Click on the link for a high-resolution image.