Here are the week's top North Dakota energy stories

August 10, 2018

Lignite Industry to Host DOE Secretary

US Energy Secretary Rick Perry will visit North Dakota next week for tours and a discussion of the state's coal industry.

Perry will tour North American Coal's Falkirk mine and Great River Energy’s Coal Creek Station on Monday. Following the tour, he will participate in a roundtable with local energy leaders on the University of Mary campus in Bismarck.

Senator John Hoeven and Congressman Kevin Cramer announced Perry's visit this week.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for Secretary Perry to learn more about the innovative work that the Department of Energy is supporting in our state and how we can further advance our nation’s energy security,” Hoeven said.

Click here to view the schedule of events.

Refinery Construction Off and Rolling

Contractors have been hired and construction is underway on the Davis Refinery near Belfield.

Meridian Energy received its Permit to Construct the refinery from the ND Department of Health's Air Quality Division in June. The company recently announced it had contracted with SEH Design/Build, Inc. to manage grading work on the site. Initial construction activities will include installation of erosion control devices, storm water pond development and ditch shaping to establish vegetation and ensure proper runoff.

The contract will employ a team of local subcontractors including Martin Construction Inc. of Dickinson, which will be the primary site developers for the civil construction. ABC Fencing of Belfield will install erosion control devices and perimeter fencing.

“This is truly a history-making event and we're eager to get started on the site work," said Senior Project Manager Dan Hedrington. "The Davis project is an extremely environmentally sound project, and will no doubt positively impact the refining industry, North Dakota and its residents.”

Wenko: Pace of Activity Resembles Boom Times

With the price of oil remaining consistently about $60 per barrel, the pace of business activity in western North Dakota looks a little like it did at the height of the boom a few years ago.

That's the assessment of Williston Economic Development Director Shawn Wenko, who was interviewed this week by Dennis Lindahl on the radio program, Morning Lowdown.

Click here to listen to Wenko's comments.

Wenko said he's seeing a lot of would-be entrepreneurs coming through the door with ideas for starting a business in the area.

Click here to listen to Wenko's comments.

Wenko said Williston is able to lend start-ups a helping hand thanks to the city's STAR Fund. It's a one-penny sales tax, 75% of which is dedicated to infrastructure debt relief for City of Williston projects. The rest goes to jobs creation and community development.

Click here to listen to Wenko's comments.

Wenko says the Bakken's biggest challenge is finding enough employees to fill the hundreds of job openings, and he doesn't have any easy answers for that.

The Morning Lowdown airs on KTGO Radio. Click here and advance to the 17:25 mark to listen to the full interview.

EDT Committee to Meet Next Week at Capitol

Members of the ND Legislature's interim Energy Development and Transmission Committee will hear a proposal next week from Chairman Rich Wardner to revise the state's oil and gas tax revenue distribution formula.

Senator Wardner's remarks are the final item on a lengthy agenda that begins with an update on oil price and production trends from the ND Pipeline Authority. The committee will also hear reports on research projects related to soil remediation, potential sources of frac sand in North Dakota and a study related to rare earth elements.

Legislators will also hear a presentation by legislative staff related to wind energy taxation and the distribution of those taxes, as well as a proposal from Rep. Mike Brandenburg, R-Edgeley, to change the allocation of wind tax revenue.

The afternoon agenda will likely be dominated by a discussion of energy industry payments to mitigate indirect environmental impacts. The Game and Fish Department recently developed siting guidance and proposed environmental remedies for the siting of wind energy projects in response to a request from the Public Service Commission.

The EDT Committee is scheduled to meet Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. in the Roughrider Room at the Capitol. Click here to see the committee agenda.

Belfield Prepares for Growth

Belfield's Main Street is changing and the goal is to entice both businesses and families to settle in town.

Construction of the Davis Refinery west of town could bring good growth to the city. Newly-elected mayor Ken Solberg said unusable buildings on Main Street are coming down to "open up property for new business."

The city is also close to passing a tax incentive plan to help new businesses in town. Solberg said the second reading of the proposed ordinance moves the idea a step closer to reality.

Belfield has invested in infrastructure upgrades including street resurfacing, water main upgrades and a new lagoon. The work will make it easier for new families and new businesses to get adequate service.

A recent Ukrainian Dance Festival was so successful, organizers booked Belfield for next year's event. Solberg said he's happy to see it return. It's evidence of the growing cultural aspect to the quality of life in town.

Top Issues to be Discussed at Policy Summit

Legacy Fund, Infrastructure, Workforce on the Agenda

Business leaders from across North Dakota will gather in Bismarck next week to discuss major political issues facing the state.

The North Dakota Chamber's 2018 Policy Summit is scheduled Thursday, August 16, at the Ramkota Hotel in Bismarck. The event opens at 10:00 am with a panel discussion of the Legacy Fund, the balance of which now tops $5.5 billion. Panel members include State Treasurer Kelly Schmidt, Senators David Hogue and Tim Mathern, and Rep. Kim Koppelman.

That will be followed by a panel discussion of transportation infrastructure needs featuring DOT Director Tom Sorel, BNSF Railway exec Zak Anderson, House Transportation Chair Dan Ruby, Senator Gary Lee, and Dan Kadrmas, President of True North Steel.

The afternoon agenda includes a panel that will discuss the pros and cons of a ballot measure that would require disclosure of all political donations, including those made to all organizations engaged in lobbying. Other panels will discuss North Dakota's business climate and the state's workforce shortage.

The event concludes with a debate between US House candidates Kelly Armstrong (R) and Mac Schneider (D).

Click here for more details.

Construction begins Monday on US 2 west of Minot

Construction will begin Monday, August 13, on Hwy 2 & 52 west (1 Mile West of Johnson St. to 1 Mile East of Johnson St.) near Burlington. The project will consist of the construction of turn lanes, approaches and a median cross over.

During construction speeds will be reduced through the construction zone and a 12-foot width restriction will be in place

There may be some delays. Flaggers may be present at times directing traffic when lanes are reduced to one lane in each direction. The project is expected to be complete at the end of October.

Click here for statewide road construction information.

Quick Connect

Uncertain future for Dakota Gasification synfuels plant -- Bismarck Tribune

Meridian Energy seeks dismissal of PSC complaint -- Bismarck Tribune

Energy Transfer Partners plans DAPL expansion to -- S&P Global Platts

Another gas plant to expand in McKenzie County -- Bismarck Tribune

North Dakota up for $34.4 million in electric infrastructure loans -- The Flag

Proposed changes at Dickinson Refinery could be good for farmers -- KX News

Corps of Engineers' Dakota Access Pipeline study delayed -- Forum News Service

Lured by higher oil prices, U.S. shale producers boost capex -- UPI

Williston fires airport taxiway contractor for slow work -- Williston Herald

Ward County wants to know if oilfield brine on roads is radioactive -- Minot Daily News

BLM seeks comment on unauthorized Little Missouri River Bridge near Killdeer -- A.P.

Williams County preliminary budget is greater than income -- Williston Herald

Three produced water spills reported in northwest North Dakota -- KEYZ

Crude tumbles to lowest point in nearly seven weeks -- Rig Zone

Colorado ballot measure would require 2,500-foot oil well setback -- Denver Post

Customers calling out Colorado bank's anti-coal activities -- CBS Denver

Factoid of the Week

Near record hot temps this week can create unhealthy work conditions including heat exhaustion. These are the signs of heat exhaustion:

Confusion
Dark-colored urine (a sign of dehydration)
Dizziness, Fainting
Fatigue
Headache
Muscle or abdominal cramps
Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
Pale skin
Profuse sweating
Rapid heartbeat

Source: WebMD

Upcoming Events

August 13-14

Water Topics Overview Committee

Bismarck

August 14

Energy Development and Transmission Committee

Bismarck

August 16

Greater North Dakota Chamber Policy Summit

Bismarck

August 16

Halliburton Job Fair

Williston

August 27

Statewide Interoperability Executive Committee

Bismarck

September 12

Multi-Employer Job Fair

Williston

September 24-26

North Dakota Petroleum Council Annual Meeting

Fargo

October 3

Lignite Energy Council Fall Conference

Bismarck

October 3-4

Bakken Oil Product & Service Show

Williston

Oil prices and rig count

August 10, 2018

WTI Crude: $67.68

Brent Crude: $72.78

Natural Gas: $2.96

North Dakota Active Rigs: 60 (down 4) 08/10/2017 -- 57 rigs

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Geoff Simon

Editor/Executive Director

geoff@ndenergy.org

http://ndenergy.org