State of North Dakota secondary Archives: on Energy & Oil


Doug Burgum: We are not running out of oil; we have a global surplus

We have a global oil surplus today because of the rapid advancements in technology. This stands in stark contrast to a multi-decade narrative that we were "running out of oil." In energy exploration, some of these technologic advances that have contributed to the unforeseen abundance, such as deep horizontal drilling, were pioneered in the Bakken formation in North Dakota.
Source: Recode.net on 2016 North Dakota gubernatorial race Jan 31, 2016

Doug Burgum: Protest campers at Dakota Access Pipeline should leave

Burgum spoke of impending damage to the environment and potential danger to protesters and first responders if Dakota Access Pipeline opponents don't vacate the main camp in southern Morton County before a likely flood hits in March. The unauthorized camp sits in a floodplain on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers land at the confluence of the Missouri and Cannonball rivers. Burgum said vacating the camp and cleaning up the abandoned cars, illegal structures and human waste from months of occupation will be a costly and time-consuming effort.

"The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe has repeatedly asked for the remaining protesters to leave. We unequivocally support him in this request," Burgum said.

"Peaceful protest is a protected right of all Americans," Burgum said. "However, protesters must respect private property rights, court orders and law enforcement personnel. Acts of vandalism, harassment and trespass are not a part of North Dakota's character and will not be tolerated."

Source: Press release on 2017 North Dakota State of the State speech Feb 8, 2017

Doug Burgum: On energy, all of the above

We have an approach in our state, which is all of the above. So we're supporting oil and gas. We're supporting coal. We're supporting wind. Oil and gas, obviously, most of that, a lot of that's going towards transportation fuels. As the renewable continues to grow and grow, at a low variable cost, those dynamics put pressure on the economics between those two. We have to continue to sort that out as we go forward.
Source: 2018 North Dakota State of the State address Jan 23, 2018

Doug Burgum: Lignite (brown coal) is transforming power plant emissions

Our lignite industry continues to innovate and invest--providing essential baseload electricity to the grid--despite long-term economic and regulatory uncertainty created by over-reaching federal policy in the previous administration. Project Tundra--which aims to capture carbon dioxide that can be used to revitalize old oil wells--was recently awarded the largest grant in the history of the Lignite Research Council, $15 million. This partnership between the Energy and Environmental Research Center at UND-- lignite--and the oil and gas industry--is transforming power plant emissions to a marketable, value-added commodity.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to North Dakota Legislature Jan 3, 2019

Doug Burgum: Private sector innovation over regulation on carbon

It's private sector innovation over regulation. Innovation is about the application of research and technology to solve real problems. We have an opportunity through innovation, rather than through regulation to outlaw carbon, to innovate and take carbon from the devil element on the chemistry chart to have it be the thing that is a value added input. We have a chance through innovation and regulation to completely transform the entire debate which is consuming the world about energy.
Source: 2020 North Dakota State of the State address Jan 29, 2020

Doug Burgum: Clean coal will allow us to shape global energy policy

Creating a low-cost, highly reliable, clean coal base load solution for a planet hungry for more electricity, yet focused on a carbon-constrained future, would put North Dakota in the position to shape global energy policy. We can support those North Dakota communities that wouldn't exist without the coal plants and the coal sector workers who've been keeping the lights on dependently and cost-effectively in America with North Dakota lignite for more than 100 years.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to North Dakota legislature Jan 5, 2021

Doug Burgum: Soybean oil can be refined into renewable green diesel fuel

Soybean oil taken from that plant at Spiritwood will be shipped to the Marathon Refinery in Dickinson to be refined into renewable green diesel. It'll be sold into such states as California at a huge premium, maybe as high as $1 a gallon, to meet their fuel standards. We take it, we process it, we turn it into soybean oil. We take it and we process it again, turn it into green diesel in Dickinson. We're adding value to that same soybean three times, not once.

We are already well on our way towards meeting our carbon neutral goal for 2030. The approved projects from that first grant round will sequester 18 million tons of CO2. We have an enormous opportunity not just to store our own carbon, but to store our neighbors' carbon. We can store the entire nation's CO2 for the next 50 years. We've got groups working on building CO2 pipelines to bring that CO2 here for us to store it 7,000 feet underground safely.

Source: 2022 State of the State Address to North Dakota legislature Feb 16, 2022

Dustin Peyer: Shift to renewable energy inevitable

While I ultimately believe fossil fuels are a thing of the past they are part of our current above all energy portfolio but are naturally phasing themselves out as wind, solar, and other forms of energy become more efficient. We as humans need to realize that we do affects this planet. We must be more cautious of our environment for there is no other place currently that humans can survive.
Source: 2018 North Dakota Senatorial website PeyerForSenate.org Oct 1, 2017

Dwight Grotberg: Build ND infrastructure for energy production & corn ethanol

One of my plans is to introduce strategic legislation that increases our infrastructure for energy production and distribution. It looks like we are headed for $3.00+ fuel again. Our oil people in western ND are getting discounted for their crude and it looks to me like that could be helped with improved transportation. We currently have in this country an ethanol shortage yet we had some of our biggest corn LDP’s, which are subsidies paid to us when prices are low, in recent history.
Source: Press Release, “Vision for representing North Dakota” Apr 4, 2006

Dwight Grotberg: make energy a National Security issue

We need to make energy a National Security issue. It’s time to stop looking to the Middle East and pay our people instead. The economic impact to this state and other rural states will be HUGE. We can serve North Dakota better than the current delegation by bringing big picture economics to Congress, which will, in the end, allow more federal money to be in reserve for this state for it’s boom-bust cycles, and reduce the need for emergency funding that gets tacked onto things like hurricanes and wars.
Source: Press Release, “Vision for representing North Dakota” Apr 4, 2006

Eliot Glassheim: Regulate greenhouse gases, and fund renewable energy

Q: Do you support funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, thermal)?

A: Yes.

Q: Do you support increased regulations on the hydraulic fracturing ("fracking") industry?

A: Yes, but differences in geology should be taken into account when regulation fracking rather having a one size fits all.

Q: Do you believe that human activity is contributing to climate change?

A: Yes.

Q: Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions?

A: Yes.

Source: VoteSmart 2016 North Dakota Political Courage Test Aug 8, 2016

Heidi Heitkamp: Tax incentives for renewables, particularly wind power

Q: Consider climate change a serious threat?

Kevin Cramer (R): No. Considered prominent skeptic. Has called climate change a religious belief.

Heidi Heitkamp (D): Yes. Voted for the amendment saying climate change was real & serious.

Q: Limit or tax production of greenhouse gases? Support US participation in Paris Climate Accord despite President Trump's withdrawal?

Cramer: No. Roll back automotive fuel standards. Called EPA greenhouse gas regulations "arbitrary & capricious." Paris Accord was a terrible agreement.

Heitkamp: Mixed. Criticized Obama Clean Power Act, pushed for carbon sequestration research so could keep using coal & gas. Supported Paris Accord participation.

Q: Renewable Energy: Support government subsidies for renewable energy?

Cramer: No. Incentivize US fuel production. Let green energy tax credits & deductions lapse.

Heitkamp: Advocates an all-of-the-above approach that includes tax incentives for renewables, particularly wind power.

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on North Dakota Senate race Oct 9, 2018

Jack Dalrymple: Reduce oil extraction tax from 6.5% to 5%

North Dakota Legislative voting records for H.B. 1476 Jack Dalrymple signed bill 1476:

There is hereby imposed an excise tax, to be known as the "oil extraction tax", upon the activity of extracting oil from the earth. The rate of tax was 6.5% and this bill reduces that rate to 5% of the gross value at the well of the oil extracted. The 5% rate also applies to secondary or tertiary recovery projects, where the previous tax was 4%. However, if the average price of a barrel of crude oil exceeds the trigger price of $90 for three months, then the tax rate is set at 6%. Previously the trigger price had to exceed $90 for five months.

Source: North Dakota Legislative voting records for H.B. 1476 Apr 29, 2015

Jack Dalrymple: Oil & gas development brings jobs; let's build them roads

The remarkable and rapid growth of oil and gas development in western North Dakota has brought jobs and population growth, but it has also brought extreme wear and tear on roads and pushed our water supply systems to the limit. In my budget message I outlined an aggressive, forward-looking plan that will address the needs of our 17 oil and gas producing counties by focusing resources directly on the most heavily impacted roads and facilities.
Source: 2011 State of the State speech to North Dakota legislature Jan 4, 2011

Jack Dalrymple: Focus on pipeline and rail capacity for oil & gas

In energy we continue to see our growth targets realized. We have seen amazing growth in crude oil production, increasing from 460,000 barrels per day when I spoke to you two years ago, to 747,000 barrels per day currently. Two years ago pipelines and rail capacity were major barriers to growth in oil and gas production. Since 2010 we have more than doubled our pipeline and rail capacity from less than 500,000 barrels of oil per day to one million barrels. Not only is that good for the industry but it also gets trucks off our roads.

Our production of natural gas has also more than doubled from two years ago. We have encouraged the gathering of natural gas and have also doubled processing capacity since the end of 2010. By 2014 we expect to have capacity to process 1.36 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day. We are also promoting the use of natural gas at the well site instead of diesel fuel, and today we are seeing a leveling off of the percentage of natural gas that is being flared.

Source: North Dakota 2013 State of the State Address Jan 8, 2013

Jack Dalrymple: New safety rule: filter crude oil for dangerous types of gas

Dalrymple praised recent safety rules from the United States and Canada that will require thicker hulls, among many other standards, to improve the safety of crude-by-rail transport. "I think the improvements are very good," he said. "The biggest factor in safety of transport are the cars themselves."

The rules come after Dalrymple and other state regulators instituted new rules last fall requiring every barrel of crude be filtered for dangerous types of natural gas. "It's helpful to see these as one part of the overall safety equation," he said. "Still, it's important to see that North Dakota crude is not different from other light, sweet crudes around the country."

Source: Reuters Media on 2016 North Dakota gubernatorial race Jun 19, 2015

Katrina Christiansen: Establish industries in the face of technology disruption

North Dakota is one of the largest energy producers in the country but shockingly, for more than a decade into the oil boom, very little has been established to establish industries that flourish here in the face of technology disruption. We need a senator who can separate the boondoggles from the real opportunities. Katrina can do this, as a trained engineer.
Source: 2022 North Dakota Senate website KatrinaForUSSenate.com Jun 15, 2022

Kelly Armstrong: Reduce oil extraction tax from 6.5% to 5%

North Dakota Legislative voting records for H.B. 1476 Sen.Armstrong voted YEA:

There is hereby imposed an excise tax, to be known as the "oil extraction tax", upon the activity of extracting oil from the earth. The rate of tax was 6.5% and this bill reduces that rate to 5% of the gross value at the well of the oil extracted. The 5% rate also applies to secondary or tertiary recovery projects, where the previous tax was 4%. However, if the average price of a barrel of crude oil exceeds the trigger price of $90 for three months, then the tax rate is set at 6%. Previously the trigger price had to exceed $90 for five months.

Source: North Dakota Legislative voting records for H.B. 1476 Apr 23, 2015

Kevin Cramer: Climate change is a religious belief

Q: Consider climate change a serious threat?

Kevin Cramer (R): No. Considered prominent skeptic. Has called climate change a religious belief.

Heidi Heitkamp (D): Yes. Voted for the amendment saying climate change was real & serious.

Q: Limit or tax production of greenhouse gases? Support US participation in Paris Climate Accord despite President Trump's withdrawal?

Cramer: No. Roll back automotive fuel standards. Called EPA greenhouse gas regulations "arbitrary & capricious." Paris Accord was a terrible agreement.

Heitkamp: Mixed. Criticized Obama Clean Power Act, pushed for carbon sequestration research so could keep using coal & gas. Supported Paris Accord participation.

Q: Renewable Energy: Support government subsidies for renewable energy?

Cramer: No. Incentivize US fuel production. Let green energy tax credits & deductions lapse.

Heitkamp: Advocates an all-of-the-above approach that includes tax incentives for renewables, particularly wind power.

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on North Dakota Senate race Oct 9, 2018

Marvin Nelson: Increase state research on global warming from $5M to $50M

The Stenehjem campaign said, "Doug Burgum is anti-coal," because Burgum acknowledged there's global warming. That means he's anti-coal? Well, that would mean the president of Hess Corp. is anti-coal and anti-oil, because he admits it, too. Now, I think it's very anti-coal and anti-oil to not admit there's a problem, because we have to solve this. How do you put significant resources toward solving a problem that you can't even admit exists?

I think if you keep denying global warming, you're guaranteeing that in 15 years, we don't have a coal industry. So, here's my plan. We spent $5 million on research this biennium; and we're going to have to ramp that up. In this coming biennium, we are looking at a $50 million to $100 million commitment into research [on carbon sequestration], because we're going to have to tweak whatever there is to make it work on our plants. If we're going to keep that industry, we have to live in the real world, and we have to work to adapt to the situation.

Source: Grand Forks Herald on 2016 North Dakota Gubernatorial debate Jun 25, 2016

Rick Becker: Reduce oil extraction tax from 6.5% to 5%

North Dakota Legislative voting records for H.B. 1476 Rep. Rick Becker voted YEA:

There is hereby imposed an excise tax, to be known as the "oil extraction tax", upon the activity of extracting oil from the earth. The rate of tax was 6.5% and this bill reduces that rate to 5% of the gross value at the well of the oil extracted. The 5% rate also applies to secondary or tertiary recovery projects, where the previous tax was 4%. However, if the average price of a barrel of crude oil exceeds the trigger price of $90 for three months, then the tax rate is set at 6%. Previously the trigger price had to exceed $90 for five months.

Source: North Dakota Legislative voting records for H.B. 1476 Apr 20, 2015

Thomas Campbell: Feds shouldn't interfere with local energy industry

North Dakota is blessed with abundant natural resources that help drive our economy and make us less dependent on dangerous, foreign nations for energy. Sadly, liberal politicians and special interests have tried to hurt North Dakota's energy economy. Tom Campbell will always fight for our right to responsibly produce energy and grow the number of energy jobs in North Dakota.
Source: 2018 North Dakota Senatorial websiteTomForNorthDakota.com Oct 1, 2017

Thomas Campbell: Liberal politicians hurt state's energy economy

North Dakota is blessed with abundant natural resources that help drive our economy and make us less dependent on dangerous, foreign nations for energy. Sadly, liberal politicians and special interests have tried to hurt North Dakota's energy economy. Tom Campbell will always fight for our right to responsibly produce energy and grow the number of energy jobs in North Dakota.
Source: 2018 North Dakota Senatorial website TomForNorthDakota.com Nov 7, 2017

Wayne Stenehjem: Diversify economy with value-added energy and agriculture

When it came to taxes and the state's reliance on oil revenue, the candidates all agreed the state is heavily reliant. How to fix that was where the candidates differed.

"What we need to do is improve our whole tax climate," Becker said. Becker said rather than provide a wide array of tax incentives the rates should be lower in order to benefit everyone and eschew picking winners and losers.

Stenehjem said the problem with the reliance on oil revenue is the large impact it has on income and sales tax collections. He succinctly outlined a key platform plank his administration would have in solving the problem. "Diversity, diversity and diversity," Stenehjem said: ways to diversify the state's economy is to push for value-added energy and agricultural products as well as grow the state's unmanned aerial systems industry.

Source: Bismarck Tribune on 2016 North Dakota gubernatorial debate Mar 3, 2016

  • The above quotations are from State of North Dakota Politicians: secondary Archives.
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