WBI Energy has launched a non-binding open season to gauge interest among natural gas producers, utilities and other potential end users in a proposed pipeline that would extend from Watford City to Fargo.

The Bakken East Pipeline Project would create new firm takeaway capacity to be used to transport increasing volumes of natural gas from the prolific Bakken region in western North Dakota, to serve new power generation, industrial and local distribution company demand in central and eastern North Dakota. 

The initial design envisions 375 miles of new 30-inch and 24-inch diameter high pressure steel pipeline, with a capacity to move up to 760 million cubic feet of gas per day. The pipeline would parallel the Northern Border Pipeline to near Manning, then move east through the Beulah-Hazen area before crossing the Missouri River near Washburn, then southeast to the Jamestown area, and continuing east terminating in the Fargo area. 

Justin Kringstad, director of the ND Pipeline Authority, was asked about the proposed project during the monthly Director's Cut news conference. Given the potential constraints that large amounts of associated natural gas could create for oil producers, Kringstad said the project is a very positive development.

Click here to listen to Kringstad's comments.

Kringstad said it's a possibility the state of North Dakota could be among parties expressing interest in acquiring capacity in the project.

Click here to listen to Kringstad's comments.

Kringstad pointed out WBI has made a previous unsuccessful attempt to attract interest in a pipeline to the east, but with the company proposing a new project, he suspects WBI has already heard from various parties who may consider signing up for its capacity.

Click here to listen to Kringstad's comments.

Kringstad said most pipeline projects are driven by natural gas producers looking to move gas to market, but he said because of recent growth in electric demand, there will likely be a mix of potential customers.

Click here to listen to Kringstad's comments.

WBI officials said the pipeline may also interconnect with existing interstate pipelines located along the proposed route including Northern Border Pipeline and Alliance Pipeline. Deliveries to Viking Gas Transmission Company may also be possible through utilization of existing WBI Energy pipeline facilities. 

WBI anticipates the pipeline would be constructed over two construction seasons and placed into service in two phases. The first phase that would terminate in central North Dakota has a targeted in-service date of November 1, 2028, and the second phase has a target date of November 1, 2029.

Early October wildfires, driven by winds topping 70 mph, took a hit on North Dakota's monthly oil production figures, and some damaged facilities are still offline.

Nathan Anderson, director of the Department of Mineral Resources, said October production averaged 1.178 million barrels per day, down 22,000 bbl/day from the September number, or about 500,000 barrels total for the month. During the Dec. 18 Director's Cut news conference, Anderson said he felt producers did a good job responding to the blazes, with most wells back online in November. But he said some of the facilities that were damaged are still not back in production, and will remain offline depending on the time frame for obtaining parts and materials to repair them.

Click here to listen to Anderson's comments. 

Anderson said natural gas production was also down about 4% in October, averaging 3.42 billion cubic feet per day, down from 3.56 Bcf/day in September. The natural gas capture rate dropped a point to 94% during the month.

The state did set a new all-time high with 19,334 producing wells, 89% of which are in the Bakken/Three Forks formations.

Click here to read or download the Director's Cut.

Basin Electric Power Cooperative energized its new Roundup-to-Kummer Ridge transmission line in western North Dakota this week.

The 33-mile, 345-kilovolt transmission line connects the existing Roundup substation near Killdeer and the existing Kummer Ridge substation near Johnson’s Corner. The transmission project, which started construction in April 2024, was energized five months ahead of its initial target date. 

The project was driven by increased load in the region and aims to enhance reliability and reduce the risk of load loss due to a transmission line failure, said Philip Westby, manager of Transmission Services at Basin Electric. The project also addresses congestion and cost levelization in the power grid, benefiting local businesses and residents. Westby said Basin Electric is excited about the new transmission line, and so are cooperative members.

“The completion of the Roundup-to-Kummer Ridge transmission line bolsters the reliability to a significant amount of McKenzie Electric’s membership by closing the path on what was previously a radial line,” said McKenzie Electric Cooperative CEO Matt Hanson. “It also provides an additional feed into the McKenzie Electric service area, providing contingency benefits to both McKenzie Electric and other surrounding utilities.”

Even though the line has been energized, reclamation work around the project is scheduled to continue into 2025.

“The Roundup-to-Kummer Ridge transmission line has been a challenging and rewarding project,” said Bobby Nasset, supervisor of civil engineering at Basin Electric. “The terrain presented unique complexity for design, construction, and access. The efforts and collaborations between the Right-of-Way, Permitting, and Engineering teams at Basin Electric and the construction contractor, Forbes/Timberline, were critical to the project’s success.”

“We want to thank our member-owners, the local landowners, and Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation leadership for their assistance during design, routing, and construction,” said Gavin McCollam, senior vice president and COO of Basin Electric. “We appreciate McKenzie and Dunn counties and North Dakota Public Service Commission for recognizing the importance of this project and providing necessary approvals.” 

Basin CEO Todd Brickhouse said he was grateful to Team Basin for the accomplishment.

"Roundup-to-Kummer Ridge was energized ahead of schedule and under budget in a safe and environmentally responsible manner over very rugged terrain," Brickhouse said. "While it is a relatively short transmission line, it will benefit Basin’s entire membership by alleviating transmission congestion and expense and at the same time enhancing reliability for one of our nation’s premier energy geographies."

Newly-elected ND Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak has received a plum assignment on the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee, a rarity for freshmen members of Congress.

Fedorchak, who was interviewed by Jason Bohrer this week on the radio program Dakota Mornings, said she began having conversations with Congressional leadership about the committee shortly after winning the Republican primary in June.

Click here to listen to Fedorchak's comments.

Fedorchak said she described to leaders her 12 years of experience as a member of the ND Public Service Commission, and her familiarity with most of the energy topics the committee will address. She said it's important that North Dakota elevate its voice at the national level to emphasize the importance of energy to the economy and national security.

Click here to listen to Fedorchak's comments.

Fedorchak pointed out the recent report of the North American Electric Reliability Corporation warning that many U.S. regions are at elevated risk of electricity supply shortfalls in the event of extreme weather this winter. She said the biggest threat to reliability cited in the NERC report was excessive environmental regulation aimed at coal and gas-fired power generation, forcing the premature shutdown of the facilities. 

Click here to listen to Fedorchak's comments.

Fedorchak said her appointment to the Energy and Commerce Committee shows a recognition that House leaders intend to focus on policy in the new Congress, and not political considerations to improve a member's chance for re-election. She said her focus would be on regulatory reform, rolling back the numerous overreaching rules of the Biden administration. 

Click here to learn more about NERC's warning about grid reliability. Click here to learn more about the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

A new poll commissioned by the Lignite Energy Council shows strong support among North Dakota voters for the continued use of coal to generate electricity.

The LEC partnered with Public Opinion Strategies in conducting the poll earlier this month to analyze North Dakotans' opinions on the state’s political environment and their feelings toward carbon dioxide capture, federal environmental regulations, and data centers. Kay LaCoe, the LEC's VP for Marketing and Communications, said the results are very positive for the lignite industry and demonstrate that the efforts of the LEC Public Affairs Committee have been highly effective. LaCoe said nearly four out of five voters want the state to continue operation of its coal-fired power plants.

Click here to listen to LaCoe's comments.

LaCoe said support for continuing to use coal to produce electricity was strongest among Republicans and Independents, with opinions more mixed among Democrats. But she said overall there was strong support across the state, not just in the energy-producing region of western North Dakota.

Click here to listen to LaCoe's comments.

LaCoe said two-thirds of voters favor the production of abundant energy sources like oil, coal, and gas over renewable energy, again with strong Republican support. She said there is broad bipartisan support (71%) for continuing to mine coal in North Dakota for the next 50 years. LaCoe said technology to capture carbon dioxide emissions is also viewed favorably by 70% of voters, but because some opposed CO2 capture technology due to safety concerns, more public education efforts are needed. Generally, she said, voters who responded to the poll appreciate the use of technology to preserve the fossil fuel industry.

Click here to listen to LaCoe's comments.

LaCoe said a majority (58%) favor using state tax dollars to sue the federal government over excessive and unnecessary energy regulations. She said data centers are a newer issue that voters don't have strong opinions on yet, with 54% favoring their development, but low intensity of support or opposition.

Senator John Hoeven and Republican Congressman August Pfluger of Texas have introduced a bicameral Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution of disapproval to block implementation of the Biden administration’s Natural Gas Tax, which was passed as part of the Democrats' misnamed Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.

“American households and businesses depend every day on access to affordable and reliable energy,” said Hoeven. “The best way to bring down prices for U.S. consumers is to increase supply. That’s why we’re working to rescind policies like the natural gas tax, among the many other costly and burdensome taxes and regulations imposed under the Biden administration.”

“Joe Biden’s promise to end fossil fuels hurt the hardworking energy producers of my district who have worked diligently to increase production while fueling our allies abroad,” said Pfluger. “If implemented, the ill-conceived natural gas tax will handicap technological innovation, reduce supplies of affordable energy, and increase both costs and emissions.”

This legislation comes as part of Hoeven’s broader efforts to rescind the wide array of costly taxes and regulations imposed by the Biden Administration, which have resulted in increased costs for consumers and hampered domestic U.S. energy production. Moving forward, Hoeven and colleagues will work with the Trump administration to repeal burdensome federal rules in order to improve access to taxpayer-owned energy resources and streamline the approval process for energy development.

Click here to see the two page resolution.

By Dustin Bleizeffer | WyoFile

Wyoming and Montana filed suit against the U.S. Bureau of Land Management on Thursday seeking to overturn the agency’s rule to end federal coal leasing in the Powder River Basin — the nation’s most prolific coal-producing region.

The federal agency recently issued its final decision regarding a supplemental environmental impact statement and proposed amendment to land use plans for its Buffalo and Miles City, Montana field offices, selecting a “no future coal leasing alternative.” It justified the move, in part, by noting that coal companies have not nominated a major new federal coal lease in the region in more than 10 years, and that existing leases not affected by the ban allow mining to continue through 2041 at the current rate of coal production. But the states’ petition for review alleges the BLM’s decision to end coal leasing is unjustified and fails to comply with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act and the National Environmental Policy Act. 

“Instead of working with the states to address their concerns, BLM pushed through their narrow-minded agenda to stop using coal, ignoring the multiple-use mandate and the economic impacts of this decision, including skyrocketing electricity bills for consumers,” Gov. Mark Gordon said in a prepared statement. “They did not do their job properly.”

The lawsuit was long sought by local officials in northeast Wyoming, as well as the far-right Wyoming Freedom Caucus of state lawmakers, who criticized Gordon for not filing suit earlier in the process. But the state did not have legal standing to sue until the BLM issued its final order, which came in November.

Coal mines on the Wyoming side of the basin, which also extends into Montana, directly employ about 5,000 workers, according to the state. Wyoming is now engaged in more than 50 lawsuits against Biden administration regulations that threaten the state’s fossil fuel industries, according to Gordon’s office.

Click here to read more from WyoFile.

North Dakota’s population grew to a record high of 796,568 people as of July 1, 2024, according to population estimates released by the U.S. Census Bureau.

The estimate exceeds the original 2023 estimate of 783,926 residents by 12,642 and represents an increase of 17,474 residents since the 2020 decennial census.

“People continue to discover North Dakota’s abundant job opportunities, low taxes, strong education and health care systems, and unmatched quality of life with world-class outdoor recreation, hunting and fishing,” said Gov. Kelly Armstrong. “We look forward to working with the state legislature in the upcoming session to set North Dakota up for even greater success and population growth, including addressing much-needed property tax reform and relief.”

In the state’s oil-producing region, Williams and McKenzie counties – home to Williston and Watford City, respectively – led the state in terms of their rate of growth as a percentage of their total population, with Williams gaining 1,459 residents (3.7% increase) and McKenzie gaining 500 residents (a 3.5% increase).

County estimates show Cass County, home to Fargo, surpassed the 200,000-resident mark for the first time, while Burleigh County, home to Bismarck, exceeded 100,000 for the third consecutive year, estimated at 103,107 residents. Combined, the two counties represented over 58% of the state’s estimated growth.

North Dakota has been among the nation’s fastest-growing states since 2010, estimated to have grown by more than 18.4% since 2010. Roughly two-thirds of that growth occurred in the first five years after the Bakken boom began.

Governor Doug Burgum | Fargo Forum

For eight incredible years, Kathryn and I have greeted every day with enormous gratitude for the opportunity to serve the citizens of North Dakota as governor and first lady. We have been rewarded with a deeper sense of love and appreciation for this exceptional place where we were born, where we became a family and where we embarked on an immensely rewarding journey into public service.

Our two terms in office have reaffirmed what we already knew: North Dakota truly is the best of America. From the farm fields to the oil fields, North Dakotans work tirelessly to feed and fuel the world. Agriculture and energy form the bedrock of a robust and increasingly diverse economy that has continued to expand across manufacturing, technology, health care, aerospace, retail, tourism and other areas.

Our abundant natural resources are the envy of the nation, from the rich soils of the Red River Valley to the bountiful oil and gas deposits of the Bakken, to the highly productive lakes, rivers, grasslands and Badlands teeming with fish and wildlife.

On our first day in office, in our first meeting with cabinet agency leaders, and in my first State of the State address, I issued this challenge: Anything being done simply because “that’s the way we have always done it” should be and must be rigorously and respectfully questioned. And no matter what, we must have the courage to admit that we can always do better.

In the ensuing years, we harnessed the power of technology to reinvent government processes to be more efficient, responsive and cost-effective for taxpayers. We engaged our tribal nations in new and unprecedented ways, strengthening relationships built on understanding and mutual respect. We prioritized behavioral health and reduced the stigma of the disease of addiction, inspiring thousands to find hope in recovery. We encouraged and supported cities of all sizes in their efforts to create healthy, vibrant communities with smart, efficient infrastructure that can attract and retain a skilled workforce. We empowered teachers with policies and tools to support innovative education. We provided historic tax relief and diversified our economy to make our state more competitive and resilient.

Through it all, we fought to protect the freedoms and safety that make our state a great place to live, work and raise a family. Working with the Legislature, Lt. Govs. Tammy Miller and Brent Sanford, and other state and local officials, we expanded Second Amendment rights. We passed “Back the Blue” policies and programs to support our peace officers, firefighters and first responders. We made huge strides toward making North Dakota the most military-friendly state in the nation.

This work — firmly rooted in the values of courage, curiosity, gratitude and humility — was fulfilling beyond measure. It’s as President Theodore Roosevelt said: “Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.” We caught the prize, and the last eight years have been filled with work worth doing.

We owe North Dakota’s positive outlook to the private-sector innovators and entrepreneurs, the bold leaders and risk-takers, the teachers, nurses, laborers and other workers on the front lines, and the outstanding efforts of dedicated Team ND members who strive every day to ensure that state government lives up to our purpose statement: Empower People, Improve Lives and Inspire Success.

Our state has never been stronger. Our future has never been brighter. Thank you for being an important part of our state’s ongoing success, and thank you for giving Kathryn and me this opportunity to serve the great state of North Dakota! 

Williston State College announced a partnership this week with Dickinson State University and Mayville State University to bring four-year bachelor’s degree programs directly to WSC’s campus.

The partnership, formalized through recently signed Memorandums of Understanding, opens new pathways for students to earn bachelor’s degrees while remaining in Williston. WSC students can seamlessly transition into bachelor’s degree programs without the need to relocate. Programs include secondary education, business, social sciences, and other high-demand fields, addressing workforce needs in western North Dakota and providing affordable, local access to higher education.

“This partnership demonstrates our commitment to expanding opportunities for our students,” said WSC President Bernell Hirning. “By partnering with Dickinson State and Mayville State, we’re empowering students to achieve their educational goals close to home, while also serving the needs of our local communities.”

The Collaborative Bachelors Program at Williston State College strengthens ties within the North Dakota University System, providing flexible, locally accessible education that supports both students and the broader community.

Click here to read more about the partnership.

Knife River Corporation announced today that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Strata Corporation, a construction materials and contracting services provider in North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota. 

Founded in 1910, Strata is an aggregates-based, vertically integrated company with more than 75 aggregates locations, extensive aggregate reserves and rail assets to bring those reserves to market. The company has 28 ready-mix plants, three asphalt plants and a contracting services division that specializes in asphalt paving and concrete construction. Strata is headquartered in Grand Forks, and will provide infill growth for Knife River’s Central Segment.

“Strata is respected among its peers and in its communities, and is well-known for its strong culture and expertise,” said Knife River President and CEO Brian Gray. “It is a great success story, growing from a single gravel operation into a leading supplier of construction materials that employs over 900 team members during the peak season."

The transaction, with a purchase price of $454 million, is expected to close in the first half of 2025, subject to regulatory approval and customary closing conditions. Knife River expects to use cash on hand and the proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt to finance the acquisition.

“We believe this acquisition is a prime example of our ‘Competitive EDGE’ strategy to profitably grow our business,” Gray said. "Strata’s high-quality assets allow us to expand our service territory within a region we know well. We believe this is a great, long-term fit for us.”

Strata was founded 114 years ago as Bradshaw Gravel Supply. Majority shareholder James Bradshaw oversaw much of the company’s growth during his 46 years as president. 

“I believe there is a great fit between Strata and Knife River," Bradshaw said. "Both companies are strongly aligned with our cultures of putting people first and operating with integrity. We want what is best for our team and their future, and we believe that is with Knife River.”

By Kaylee Cusack | Minnkota Power

Aaron and Ivan Boehm just wrapped up their first major maintenance outage at Minnkota Power Cooperative’s Milton R. Young Station near Center, North Dakota.

The planned outages are scheduled every three years for each of the Young Station’s two generating units. This fall was Unit 1’s turn to get the multiweek treatment, with a full inspection, a round of maintenance and some important updates.

If you hadn’t already presumed, Aaron and Ivan are brothers. Both have less than a year and a half under their belts as an apprentice plant technician and apprentice plant mechanic, respectively. The learning curve on a fast-paced, complex maintenance outage is high. But on top of having each other to learn from, they had something a lot of new employees don’t: the guidance of two more big brothers.

“I just know I can ask either of them questions and they’ll give me a good answer and they’ll teach me more. A lot more,” Ivan said of his brothers Tyler, a plant maintenance supervisor, and Casey, a plant mechanic with whom he shares a crew. “Especially working with Casey all the time. I’ve learned a ton from him.”

“We work good together,” Casey said.

“We work really good,” Ivan agreed. “We get things done for sure.”

The four brothers are sons of Keith Boehm, a plant shift supervisor who retired from the plant in 2022 after 42 years of service. Electricity flows through the family’s veins. They even have a fifth brother who works for BNI Coal, Minnkota’s power sibling next door.

Tyler has worked at the Young Station the longest (16 years), so major outages are just part of his professional rhythm now. His team in the scrubber and coal handling area hit all their outage project deadlines while Casey focused on boiler feed pump maintenance, Ivan on precipitator maintenance and Aaron on other projects to ensure the continued reliability and performance of the plant.

The Boehms were busy, but the outage touched the workflow of every one of the nearly 200 employees at the plant. Not only is a planned outage an all-hands-on-deck job for them, but it’s also game time for hundreds of contractors who are called in to assist with large specialty projects. This time around, the Unit 1 turbine received some precision care – and removing, cleaning, updating and replacing its components is never a small task.

“The crews handle it well,” said Neil Kramar, plant manager of operations and maintenance. “They know the fall outage is extremely busy, and most plan for 50- to 60-hour weeks where they’re going to be away from their friends and family and devote their lives here. And it is difficult, it’s stressful, but for the most part people handle it well.”

Click here to read more from Minnkota Power.

First International Bank & Trust (FIBT) announced this week that effective January 1, 2025, S. Peter Stenehjem will succeed his father, Stephen L. Stenehjem, as CEO, becoming the fourth generation of the Stenehjem family to lead the institution.

Steve, who has served as CEO for 34 years, will continue as Chairman of the Board, remaining actively involved in guiding the bank’s leaders and supporting strategic initiatives.

“It is rare to see a business not only operate for more than a century, but also remain owned and managed by the same family," said Steve Stenehjem. "For 114 years, our family has been deeply committed to serving our customers and communities with integrity and care. I am confident Peter’s vision, dedication and philanthropic spirit will ensure that legacy continues well into the future.”

Peter has spent his career at FIBT, learning from industry leaders and taking on various roles across the organization including his current tenure as the bank’s president. His efforts have contributed to the bank’s growth and success, earning him the respect of colleagues, customers and community members alike.

“First International Bank & Trust brings an unwavering dedication to its clients and communities,” said Peter Stenehjem. “It is a great honor to step into a role that’s been shaped by over a century of commitment, resilience and community focus.”

Over the last 34 years under Steve’s leadership, FIBT has become 100 times larger with the bank’s total assets growing from just under $49 million to over $5 billion. From its humble beginnings in Arnegard, FIBT now has locations across four states, including North and South Dakota, Minnesota and Arizona.

One of the weather stations installed as part of WDEA's Wise Roads project was hit by pellets fired from a shotgun on November 29, and the incident was recorded on the station's camera.

The video and other details of the incident have been turned over to law enforcement. Anyone who can identify the individual or recognizes the vehicle is urged to provide the information to the McKenzie County Sheriff's Office at 701-444-3654.

The Banks station, located about 15 miles north-northeast of Watford City at the intersection of 35th Street NW and 124th Ave NW, sustained about $4,400 damage to its sensors and the solar panel that supplies its power. 

Video of the incident was captured by the North Dakota Agricultural Weather Network, which maintains the weather stations. It provides a glimpse of birds flying in front of the camera, after which the hunter fires two shots in the direction of the station. The camera was not hit, but was visibly shaken as pellets hit the station's solar panel and weather sensors. The hunter can then be seen kicking what is apparently an empty shotgun shell into the ditch before leaving the scene.

Click here to watch the 54-second video.

North Dakota is filled with nocturnal creatures, not all of which can be easily identified. That's the case this week with a critter spotted by one of the high-resolution cameras on Wise Roads weather stations, which also captured a photo of some identifiable creatures, along with some blustery and sunny weather. 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. There is also an interactive Google Map that users can access to pinpoint the location of Wise Roads and NDAWN weather stations. Additional information is also available from NDAWN. 

Featured shots this week are clockwise from upper left: White Earth, with what may be a fox or coyote barely visible in the photo; Twin Buttes, with a pair of buffalo on a foggy morning; Tobacco Garden, with snowflakes flying in the night air; and Long Creek, with a sundog creates by ice crystals in the air. Click on the link for a high-resolution image.