Tipple Bill Hits Oliver County, But Impact Reduced

The ND House has approved what has been called the “tipple bill,” actually the Treasurer’s office appropriations bill (HB 1005). The bill got its name because it initially contained a provision that would eliminate the state’s reimbursement to Oliver County for a portion of its coal severance tax revenue that goes to Morton County instead.  Tipple refers to the location at which coal is mined. The revenue sharing came about years ago to address impacts in Morton County related to the tipple in southern Oliver County.  The original bill would have zeroed out $228,000 over the $2017-19 biennium to reimburse Oliver County.  The impact has been reduced in the revised version of the bill, which will now will cost units of government in Oliver County about $14,000 per year. 

Senate Rejects Bill to Strip Counties of Wind Tax Revenue

The ND Senate voted 17-29 to reject a bill that would have given the state a share of wind tax revenue, all of which now goes to the county in which a wind farm is located.  The original version of SB 2209  would have given the state 70% of wind generation taxes, which are based on the generating capacity and actual energy production of individual wind farms.  The bill’s sponsor said the measure was intended to share wind energy taxes similar to the manner in which oil and gas tax revenue is distributed.  The legislation was later amended to significantly reduce the state’s take during the initial five years of a wind farm’s operation.  But even then it failed because of concerns that reducing the local share would disincentivise approval of future wind projects.

The North Dakota Senate brushed back a proposal to impose a two-year moratorium on the construction of new wind farms in the state.  Instead, senators voted to study the long term electrical energy needs of North Dakota, including associated tax and financial implications. The moratorium, temporarily amended into SB 2314, was proposed in response to concerns that the burgeoning wind industry threatens the viability of North Dakota’s $3 billion lignite coal industry.  Senator Curt Kreun, R-Grand Forks, opposed the moratorium. He said he supports an “all-of-the-above” approach, and believes the state should continue to position itself as an energy exporter. 

Click here to listen to Senator’s Kreun’s comments.

Legislation Could Expand Natural Gas Service

The ND House of Representatives passed a bill to make it possible for more unserved communities to obtain natural gas service. HB 1398, would allow cities to negotiate a service agreement with an energy provider, that would exempt the community from PSC rate regulation. Its sponsor, Rep. Jon Nelson, R-Rugby, explained to WDEA Executive Director Geoff Simon that communities could be served, even if there is no natural gas pipeline serving the community. 

Click here to listen to Rep. Nelson’s explanation.

Comprehensive plan includes more route changes for Williston and Williams County

The plan addresses Williston and the surrounding area in Williams County.   In large part, the strong roadway connections in the Williston area have helped the city become a regional trade center for northwestern North Dakota. US Highway 2 is a major roadway that traverses the northern United States.

Click to read the 286-page Comprehensive Plan               click above map for transportation plan

Read the Williston Herald story here

Click here for Williston Herald story on plans for growth and transportation                                                                                                      

North Dakota's petroleum industry is facing a recruitment problem.

The state oil rig count is predicted to increase and well service companies are looking to hire hundreds of workers, but they're having trouble finding them.

During the construction phase an estimated 500 workers will be needed and 200 workers will be hired permanently after the refinery is completed.