Because of member load growth in western North Dakota, a Basin Electric team will begin to investigate building a new generation facility.

The team is looking at the potential of an additional natural gas-fueled power plant to be located within the Southwest Power Pool footprint in western North Dakota, to be completed close to the year 2030. Dispatchable generation is critical to keeping electricity reliable. The grid needs facilities to power up when electricity is needed, and ramp up or down to meet the needs of electricity users, to maintain the integrity of the transmission grid.

Matt Ehrman, Basin's VP of Engineering and Construction, said because a lead time of several years is required for environmental permitting, equipment purchases and other tasks, investigation now is important.

Click here to listen to Ehrman's comments.

Ehrman said the team will spend about a year evaluating the addition of a facility to Basin Electric’s fleet, while Basin's planning group evaluates other potential sources of new capacity.

Click here to listen to Ehrman's comments.

The location for a new facility would be based on several factors. It’s best to locate a generating facility near the power load, in an area near reliable transmission and fuel supply, water availability, and an area for potential capture and storage of carbon dioxide in the future.

Basin Electric Power Cooperative has formed an internal team to look into the risks and opportunities associated with the emerging carbon dioxide industry.

Dan Gallagher, Basin Electric director of Commodity Sales and Trading, is leading the carbon opportunity and risk evaluation (CORE) team in an effort to evaluate the CO2 capture sector.

“The team is set up to complement other groups and organizations within Basin Electric,” Gallagher said. “Working with the Horizons Team, whose role is to monitor, analyze, and disseminate information regarding new technologies, CORE looks at development from a business perspective.” 

Made up of members from various departments, the CORE team keeps its project list concise to effectively review and determine if any of them should be further developed.

“As opportunities come up, the team evaluates each opportunity, and if the team determines opportunities should proceed to a next step, recommendations are provided to Todd (Brickhouse, Basin Electric CEO and general manager),” Gallagher said. 

An effort is currently underway, headed by Kyle Weisbeck, Basin Electric mechanical engineering supervisor, to analyze CO2 capture technologies and Basin Electric’s coal assets to better understand the impacts of CO2 capture technologies, and which assets are best suited for CO2 capture. Both the Horizons Team and the CORE team will have an interest in that information when it’s done in early 2024.

“The information will help to provide a foundational report that will allow the team to review projects, whether they be third party or internally developed, and understand the priorities of how we want to look at carbon capture,” Gallagher said. 

The North Dakota Public Service Commission has scheduled a February 16 hearing in Killdeer on the application of Basin Electric Power Cooperative for a 32.5-mile, 345-kilovolt transmission line.

The line would run from Basin's existing Kummer Ridge substation near Johnsons Corner in McKenzie County to its existing Roundup substation in Dunn County. In its application, Basin said the need for the additional transmission line is due to load growth in the area.

"As electric load continues to develop in the region between Killdeer and Johnsons Corner, and the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation, the existing transmission network is unable to maintain loading and voltage criteria during contingency events," the application states. "The project is required to meet reliability standards and projected electrical demands."

PSC Commissioner Julie Fedorchak said the line will provide more reliable service to electric cooperative customers, as well as diversify power resources on the larger transmission system. Fedorchak quoted Basin's application which states that, "the Kummer Ridge substation is currently served by a single radial 345-kV circuit. An outage or loss of this circuit would result in large through-flow on the existing Western Area Power Administration 230-kV system and other facilities, which creates severe voltage constraints on the local electric system. Loss of the circuit would likely result in outages or load shedding."

PSC Chairman Randy Christmann said it's a difficult route because its runs through a portion of rugged North Dakota Badlands, but said it's not only needed to maintain reliable service in the oil patch, it is important to the entire Southwest Power Pool. 

Click here to listen to Christmann's comments.

The hearing will begin at 8:30 a.m. MST February 16 at the High Plains Community Center in Killdeer. Click here to read the meeting notice. Click here to read or download Basin's 822-page siting application.

The PSC has also scheduled a February 1 hearing at Williston City Hall on Basin's proposed 16-mile, 345-kV line from its Pioneer Generation site to the Judson Switchyard west of Williston.

The ND Public Service Commission gave its blessing this week to its Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) division for reclamation work on three projects in southwestern North Dakota this summer.

The AML program, which is funded by a tax on existing coal production, is aimed at eliminating potential public hazards from abandoned surface and underground coal mines. The projects approved this week are located near Scranton, just south of New Salem and southeast of Dickinson near the city landfill. AML staff drill down into abandoned mine sites, and when voids are identified they are pumped full of grout to prevent the ground above from collapsing.

Underground coal mines were common in western North Dakota in the first half of the 20th Century. PSC Chairman Randy Christmann said the Commission has a list of 1,700 abandoned sites, but occasionally new ones are discovered.

Click here to listen to Christmann's comments.

Previous work had been done on the Scranton site, but AML staff reported that a sinkhole developed on a nearby highway, indicating that the underground mine extended further than first believed. Christmann said the AML program has been beneficial to the state, and it's important that the work continue.

Click here to listen to Christmann's comments.

The reclamation fee on lignite mined in North Dakota is currently eight cents per ton. The AML program is funded through the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act enacted in 1977. The state's program has been in operation since 1981.

Originally published by North Dakota Monitor 

The upcoming year will be a significant one for North Dakota’s energy industry, with decisions looming on two controversial pipelines that could have ripple effects across the energy sector and beyond. Here’s a primer on some major North Dakota energy news expected in 2024:

Summit pipeline - A proposal from Summit Carbon Solutions will continue to be a major energy story in the upcoming year. Summit is the company behind a five-state project to store carbon dioxide from ethanol plants in western North Dakota. When some landowners refused to give Summit surveyors access to their property, Summit sued them. Lawyers argued those cases, lumped together in SCS Transport v. Malloy, before the North Dakota Supreme Court in December. A decision is expected this year. The ruling could have implications not only for the pipeline industry, but for other utilities as well. 

Likewise, a pending decision by the Public Service Commission on whether local rules on pipeline zoning laws can take precedence over state rules is being watched closely. The PSC hearing on the issue in late December drew a packed crowd, including leaders from the energy industry. The PSC also will schedule an appeal hearing on Summit’s route application and there are decisions pending in other states on Summit’s plan to store carbon dioxide emissions from ethanol production underground. Ultimately, Summit needs approval from the North Dakota Industrial Commission on underground sites. 

Dakota Access Pipeline - On the oil pipeline front, there is an environmental impact review pending from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the Dakota Access Pipeline that carries much of North Dakota’s oil production south toward refineries. 

It’s unusual to have an environmental impact statement (EIS) after a project has been completed, but that’s what is happening with DAPL. By the end of 2024 the Corps is expected to issue a final EIS. The agency is studying five options: One option would let the pipeline keep operating as it has been since 2017, while another would add additional conditions. Two options involve a pipeline shutdown, either leaving the pipe in the ground or removing it. A fifth option involves looking at a route north of Bismarck. A reroute would require a new environmental review, permits and construction. 

DAPL became the center of environmental protests during its construction. The state eventually sued the federal government, seeking to get reimbursed $38 million in emergency response costs after protesters attempted to block the construction near the Standing Rock Indian Reservation. In December, U.S. District Judge Daniel Traynor ruled that the case can go to trial. 

Project Tundra - Minnkota Power Cooperative says it will determine sometime this year whether to move forward with its Project Tundra CO2 storage project. Project Tundra would capture greenhouse gas emissions from Milton R. Young Station, a coal-fired power plant near Center in Oliver County, and store the CO2 in deep underground formations. 

Minnkota says Project Tundra is in its final development phase with a decision on the project coming mid-year. The U.S. Department of Energy announced in December that it selected Project Tundra for up to $350 million in funding through its Carbon Capture Demonstration Projects Program. 

Renewable energy - State officials are watching how Minnesota’s new carbon-free energy mandate will impact North Dakota’s energy industry. Minnesota lawmakers last year passed a plan requiring utility providers to transition to 100% carbon-free electricity sources by 2040, which includes energy it imports from North Dakota. 

The state has successfully fought such mandates from Minnesota in the past and officials indicated last year the new regulation could be grounds for another legal battle. The North Dakota Industrial Commission met in a closed-door executive session in December to discuss the matter with their attorney. After the meeting, Attorney General Drew Wrigley told the North Dakota Monitor that state officials would submit public comment on the new measure to Minnesota regulators in early 2024.

Meanwhile, the Public Service Commission has a hearing set for Jan. 29 on a large wind project in Oliver County proposed by NextEra Energy.

By Nicole Jacobs | Energy in Depth

Amidst attacks on U.S. energy production and continued global instability, the U.S. oil and natural gas industry managed to not only meet but exceed expectations in 2023. The industry broke production records and supplied critical energy resources at home and abroad, all while reducing methane emissions.

In 2023, the oil and natural gas sectors continued to innovate and reach record-breaking levels of production. After becoming a net energy exporter in 2019, the United States has emerged as a behemoth in the global energy market, hitting prolific levels of oil and natural gas production and exports in the past year.

U.S. liquified natural gas (LNG) had a tremendous year with the United States becoming the top LNG exporter in the world. The record-breaking levels of production have not come at the expense of Americans as some activists claim. To the contrary, record energy production levels have successfully been able to meet both domestic and international demand, providing crucial energy security at home and abroad, all while keeping prices stable.

Data from the Environmental Protection Agency also showed drops in total methane emissions across the board, meaning that even with record production, U.S. operators continue to produce oil and gas responsibly and with an eye toward methane reduction. In particular, natural gas has led the charge in driving massive emissions reduction in the power sector, showing that natural gas is one of the best tools that industry and policymakers have in their toolbox for widespread emissions reductions.

Click here to read more.

Longtime Minot Rep. Larry Bellew has announced his resignation from the North Dakota Legislature effective December 31.

Bellew, who represents District 38 which covers an area on the west side of Minot including the City of Burlington, was first elected to the legislature in 2000. His tenure included serving as Speaker of the House during the 2017 legislative session.

Bellew told the North Dakota Monitor the biggest reason for his resignation was his family.

“All my grandchildren are out of state,” Bellew said. “My family, my sons, my daughter, and I just got to a point where I want to be around my family. I’d like to be a part of their lives.”

The District 38 Republican executive committee will be responsible for naming an interim replacement for Bellew,. The seat will be up for election in November 2024.

Bellew said his biggest reason for sticking around the legislature for as long as he did was because he wanted to do the best he could for the people of North Dakota.

“I do believe in our platform, especially the part about lower taxes,” Bellew said. “I wanted to try to do legislation that would ensure that people would get to keep more of their money.”

The Southwest Power Pool (SPP) is accepting applications to create a pool of industry experts to serve on a panel to review competitive transmission construction proposals in 2024.

SPP is the regional transmission organization that operates the grid in 14 states, including parts of North Dakota.

In response to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s Order 1000, SPP annually seeks a pool of individuals to create a panel of industry experts who will review, rank, and score proposals for certain transmission projects approved for construction by the SPP board of directors.

Interested candidates must have expertise in at least one of the following areas as it relates to electric transmission:
1. Engineering design
2. Project management and construction
3. Operations
4. Rate design and analysis
5. Finance

Applications will be accepted through March 30. The SPP oversight committee will make a recommendation regarding selection of pool members to be approved by the SPP board of directors later this year. Click here for more information, including the panelist application and instructions.

The North Dakota Farmers Union is one of the latest groups to go on record in opposition to a ballot measure being circulated that proposes to eliminate property taxes in the state. 

Delegates at NDFU's annual convention December 15-16 in Bismarck approved a policy opposing efforts to eliminate property tax. 

"Eliminating property taxes will force political subdivisions to rely on the state for funding critical needs," the NDFU policy order states. "This will disproportionately harm rural communities and lead to declining services and infrastructure."

Both the North Dakota League of Cities and the ND Association of Counties approved resolutions at their annual conferences last fall in opposition to the property tax elimination ballot measure.

NDFU's policy statement says its landowner members are concerned about the growing burden of property taxes, and support efforts to reduce them. But NDFU "also recognizes the important role property taxes play within a balanced tax structure."

"Property taxes are important for upgrading and maintaining rural roads and supporting public schools," the statement continues. "Property taxes also fund many local services, including fire, ambulance and public safety, water systems and public libraries."

The sponsoring committee of the ballot measure is chaired by former Bismarck Rep. Rick Becker. The language of the ballot measure does not propose a source of revenue to replace property taxes, only that "the state shall provide annual property tax revenue replacement payments to political subdivisions in an amount equal to no less than the amount of tax levied on real property by the political subdivisions, excluding tax levied on real property for the payment of bonded indebtedness."

Click here to read the proposed ballot measure.

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.

The balmy winter weather much of North Dakota has enjoyed throughout December and early January is about to be replaced by incoming Arctic air that is expected to drop temperatures below zero toward the middle of next week. 

The Hub Cities of Dickinson, Minot and Williston all experienced well above normal temperatures in December, with Dickinson and Minot more than nine degrees above the long-term average, and Williston more than six degrees above. Dickinson and Williston had only one overnight low drop into the single digits during the month, and Minot had only two, but beginning next Wednesday, all three are forecast to see overnight lows in the double digits below zero.

The National Weather Service advises that much-below average temperatures can be expected for the western two-thirds of the United States.

"Notable changes come ... Wednesday as a broad upper low forms over central Canada," forecasters wrote. "The initial cold front moves through the area Wednesday, bringing chances for snow into Wednesday night. The main concern next week is the frigid air that will move in behind the front, which will bring us the coldest temperatures of the season. Widespread subzero highs and lows are forecast, with wind chills favored to be well below headline criteria of 25 below zero. This cold air will likely stay entrenched over the area through next weekend. Beyond that, uncertainty increases."

Law enforcement officials and emergency responders throughout the state are urging everyone to prepare for the coming cold wave.

The North Dakota Petroleum Foundation (NDPF) is launching its first Giving Hearts Day campaign thanks to a generous donation of $10,000 from Hess Corporation.

The donation will serve as a match to help the NDPF double donations that will support programs dedicated to enhancing and improving habitat and providing STEM education opportunities in North Dakota. In addition to pledging the matching funds for Giving Hearts Day, Hess has also contributed an additional $3,500 to the NDPF’s Planting for the Future program and $7,500 toward the Tools, Trades, Torque, Tech (T4) program. It is a joint effort by the NDPF and Lignite Energy Council to introduce students to workforce skills, needs, training and networking opportunities through hands-on activities and demonstrations hosted by industry leaders and technicians.

"We are deeply grateful for Hess Corporation's continued support of the Foundation and our programs," said Tessa Sandstrom, Executive Director for the NDPF. “Hess has been instrumental in forming and shaping the Foundation and has generously donated funds each year that allow us to carry out our mission.”

“We’re proud to support the North Dakota Petroleum Foundation and their efforts to build a better, stronger and more vibrant future for North Dakota,” said Brent Lohnes, Hess ND General Manager. “Education and environmental stewardship are two of our core values and the NDPF has been an important partner in advancing these values in North Dakota.”

Giving Hearts Day is a 24-hour event for charities in North Dakota and northwest Minnesota that provides a platform for charities to fund their missions through an ever-increasing community of donors. Early giving options are available now, and the campaign will culminate on February 8. Those interested in helping the NDPF meet Hess Corporation’s match can make their donation here. 

North Dakota saw sharply contrasting weather patterns this week, with clear skies the first few days, but a frontal system moved in mid-week bringing with it thick cloud cover and foggy conditions. Some of the imagery created by the contrast was captured this week by the high-resolution 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, Long X 2NE, with cattle grazing on a distant hill as the sun begins to set; Belfield 4NE, with the sun setting behind a pair of pump jacks; Hawkeye, with a water truck rolling down a foggy gravel road; and Hanks 4S, with frost still clinging to vegetation on a cloudy afternoon. Click on the link for a high-resolution image.