October 25, 2019 -- Roads Get Wiser
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This is the latest weather station added to the Wise Roads network to improve management of roads in the oilpatch. This station is located approximately seven miles south of New Town.
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Legislators Meet with Superintendents
Wardner: Use Legacy Fund to Support Schools
Members of the western legislative caucus met with school superintendents in Watford City on Monday to hear their needs and get their ideas for funding education.
Senate Majority Leader Rich Wardner leads the group and went through a series of ideas that have been pitched for using interest earnings from the state's Legacy Fund. He has proposed that 25 percent of the earnings be earmarked for the state's highway trust fund, a portion of which is doled out to cities, counties and townships.
Wardner said he would also like to see 20 percent of the earnings used to fund schools, but said he is not sure how best to distribute the revenue. He said using it to offset property taxes would be helpful, but because property values continue to climb, it wouldn't be possible to actually reduce taxes.
"By just using three percent, I will tell you what happens over time," Wardner said. "That increase, and the increase (in earnings) in the Legacy Fund, almost 10 years later we're right where we started from."
Most of the 14 superintendents who attended the meeting described needs in their districts to add classroom space. Alexander Superintendent Leslie Bieber, a WDEA board member, said her district has already expanded once, is adding an industrial arts facility this year, and if a bond issue is supported will build additional classroom space next year. Bieber said she'd like to see some portion of legacy earnings devoted to school construction. Enrollment in the Alexander district has quadrupled in the past 10 years.
Likewise, Killdeer School Superintendent Gary Wilz, who is president of the WDEA board, said his district is seeking land for a school expansion project. He said the legislature needs to understand that districts in the west have to deal with the "Bakken premium," a reference to the fact that construction costs are considerably higher in western North Dakota.
Belfield School Superintendent Daren Kurle said his district is also in need of additional space. Kurle said Belfield's high school was built in 1936, and a third floor was added later. He said the district's newest building was built in 1979. Kurle said construction of additional space would cost about $240 per square foot for a total of $18 million. He said the district does have money in its building fund, but for now it is being using to maintain and repair the aging facilities it has.
Other superintendents from Kenmare, Stanley, Beach, South Heart, Tioga, Dickinson, Williston, Watford City, Ray, and Billings and Divide Counties described needs in their districts. Many of them said they would like the legislature to revive its previous oil impact grant fund that included money for schools.
The 2019 Legislature established an interim Legacy Fund Earnings Committee to discuss ideas for use of the money. The committee's
next meeting will be November 12-13 in Fargo.
Click
here to read a Dickinson Press article about the western caucus meeting by Brandon Summers.
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Williston Explains Personalized Learning
Attendees at this week's annual meeting of the North Dakota School Boards Association heard how the Williston Public School District is using personalized learning to improve educational results.
Superintendent Jeff Thake described how Williston is making an effort to give students a chance to learn in a way that suits them.
"We want to focus on letting students work at their own pace, while they focus on their own strengths and interests," Thake told the crowd.
The district looked at schools in other cities around the country where personalized learning is being employed. Thake described some amazing results in a district in Campbellsville, Kentucky.
"There were students in third grade who were working at their own pace in English, language arts and math, and they were already in a fifth grade math class," he said. "In the most extreme case, there was a fifth grader in freshman Algebra."
Thake said the concept gives students the freedom to learn subjects in different ways.
"If we have 10 people in a doctor's office and they all have different diagnoses or ailments, you're not going to send them all home with Robitussin," he said. "It's the same way with learning. Every student has different learning styles and I think we have a moral imperative to meet their needs."
Presenting with Thake were School Board President Joanna Baltes (a WDEA board member) and High School Principal Jason Germundson. Baltes said the district's planned renovation of the Hagan Pool Building to an Innovation Academy meshes well with the district's personalized education plan. Click
here to learn more about the innovation academy.
The concept of personalized learning was enabled in part by
SB 2186, legislation enacted by the 2017 North Dakota Legislature that allows districts to try innovative approaches to education. Click
here to see a video about personalized learning in North Dakota.
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No Increase in Lightning Strikes on Oil Sites
Insufficient Data to Determine Cause of Most Fires
Despite media reports and public perception that there's been an increasing number of lightning strikes on wastewater disposal operations and other oil and gas facilities in North Dakota, there is no evidence to support that belief.
That is the assessment of the Energy and Environmental Research Center, which was asked to look into the problem by the North Dakota Industrial Commission. EERC's Vice President for Strategic Partnerships John Harju told the NDIC at its meeting this week that damaging lightning strikes on oil and gas properties have been fairly consistent, averaging about nine per year.
Click
here to listen to Harju's comments.
Harju said reports suggested that because fiberglass storage tanks don't conduct electricity, static electricity was more likely to build up, making the tank a target for lightning. But he said there is no data to support the belief.
Part of the problem, according to Chad Wocken, Transformational Energy Group Lead at EERC, is that incident reports from lightning strikes don't contain much data about what actually happened.
Click
here to listen to Wocken's comments.
The EERC study found that only two states - Colorado and Ohio - require some type of lightning protection at oil and gas operations, but only in populated areas. Surprisingly, it also found that insurance companies generally do not require any type of lightning suppression at oil industry facilities.
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NDIC Approves Wise Roads Grant Request
Supplement Will Support Work of Meteorologist
The North Dakota Industrial Commission approved a $60,000 grant request from the Western Dakota Energy Association this week to help support the work of a meteorologist who will coordinate WDEA's Wise Roads weather station project.
WDEA recently hired meteorologist Jonathan Rosencrans, who performed similar work for the ND Agricultural Weather Network (see
article in October 18 newsletter). Rosencrans is now working on installation of the next 15 weather stations, which provide counties rainfall and other data to determine when and where weight restrictions are necessary on gravel roads, and especially where they are not needed. Ten stations were installed earlier this year.
Governor Doug Burgum, who chairs the NDIC, said he sees value in trying to reduce the delay and disruption to oilfield traffic when rain events occur.
Click
here to listen to Burgum's comments.
Burgum, who this week
declared a statewide flood emergency due to heavy rain and snow this fall, said he sees great potential in the Wise Roads project, and would like to see it expanded.
Click
here to listen to Burgum's comments.
At an earlier meeting when WDEA was awarded a $250,000 Oil and Gas Research Council to support the purchase of weather stations, Burgum jokingly said he'd like to see 71,000 stations in the state, which would allow one to be placed every square mile.
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Rebuttal in Crude by Rail Lawsuit
The Attorneys General of North Dakota and Montana submitted a rebuttal this week to comments filed in opposition to the two states' application for a preemption determination to block Washington State’s law regulating the volatility of crude oil transported by rail in Washington State.
The rebuttal says Washington State has not refuted the fact that if a shipment of crude oil that is compliant with federal law cannot be loaded or unloaded in Washington state, then Washington’s requirements impose an obstacle to compliance with the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act. The legal document goes on to state that "the bulk of Washington state's comments are devoted to evasive maneuvers, including arguments that the petitioning states lack adequate standing to seek preemption and lack adequate evidence to support their request."
The 19-page document explains why North Dakota and Montana have standing; the evidentiary standard of ND/MT in seeking a preemption determination; a rebuttal of comments suggesting that the Washington Law does not create an obstacle to compliance with the HMTA; the significance of the Sandia Study of oil volatility; and a rebuttal of the argument that the Washington law is substantively the same as federal law.
Click
here to read or download the rebuttal document.
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CEO Roundtable Planned for Williston
Event to Focus on Transportation Innovation
The Greater North Dakota Chamber and the Williston Area Chamber of Commerce are hosting a CEO Roundtable on November 6, at Williston's new XWA Airport. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. and is open to CEO/C-Suite leadership as well as company owners, managers, supervisors, and other company leaders to come together to exchange information, spark ideas, and network.
GNDC President and CEO, Arik Spencer, said he is expecting attendance from all over the state to discuss transportation-related issues in North Dakota.
Click
here to listen to Spencer's comments.
The agenda includes Anthony Dudas from the Williston Basin International Airport introducing the new facility. Jason Bohrer from the Lignite Energy Council will talk about electric vehicles. A briefing on the 2020 Census is on the schedule along with an aviation update from Dr. Kim Kenville, chair of the State Aeronautics Commission. Spencer said the group will also hear about WDEA's Wise Roads project.
Click
here to listen to Spencer's comments.
GNDC and Williston Area Chamber members can attend the event free of charge. Airport tours will be offered. Click
here for the agenda and registration information.
Spencer was interviewed by Scott Hennen on the radio program,
What's on Your Mind. Click
here and advance to the 32:08 mark to listen to the full interview.
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Burgum/Sanford to Seek Re-Election
Governor Doug Burgum and Lieutenant Governor Brent Sanford announced yesterday in a new video that they plan to seek re-election in 2020.
The announcement video highlights some of the accomplishments of the Burgum-Sanford administration since taking office and outlines a vision for North Dakota’s future. Among items on the list:
- Diversify Economy and Grow Jobs
- Main Street Initiative
- Reinvent Government, Reduce Spending and Reform Property Taxes
- Dakota Access Pipeline - peacefully resolved the protests
- Recovery Reinvented - led by First Lady Kathryn Burgum
Click
here to see the campaign video.
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An Evening with Western ND Legislators
Western Region Economic Development is hosting an "Evening with Your ND Legislators" on Monday, November 19, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The event will be held at the Grand Williston Hotel & Conference Center.
Legislators from districts 1, 2, 4, and 39, have been invited to attend and provide committee updates and listen to concerns from constituents.
For more information or to register, click
here.
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Extension Offers Civic Leadership Training
Anyone thinking of an elected or appointed position in city, county, or state government is the target audience for LeadLocal, a training program hosted by NDSU Extension.
The program was developed to help prepare individuals for service to their community. It covers topics like parliamentary procedure, conflict negotiation and personality styles.
Click
here for more information.
The cost for the one-day course is $75 and is scheduled for Tuesday, Noveber 12, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The session will be held at the McKenzie County Courthouse.
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WDEA Annual Meeting Next Week!
Still Time to Register Online or On-Site
The annual meeting of the Western Dakota Energy Association will be held October 30-31 at the Grand Hotel in Minot.
The event kicks off at 1:00 p.m. on October 30 with an update on enhancements and expansion of WDEA's
LoadPass Permits system, to be followed by an update on the association's
Wise Roads weather station project. That will be followed by a panel discussion about truck permitting issues between industry representatives and county highway managers. The balance of Day One will focus on issues associated with North Dakota's growing natural gas production. The day will be capped off by an evening social at 5:30 featuring remarks from Cal Klewin regarding the Theodore Roosevelt Expressway Association and efforts to improve Highway 85.
Day Two opens with a perspective on ethics issues from Minot Senator David Hogue, to be followed by a presentation on workforce issues by Paula Hickel and Susan Ogurek from Job Service of ND, an update on the Western Area Water Supply Authority from Curtis Wilson, and Tim Horner will discuss an update of the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute's county roads needs study. The morning agenda also features a presentation from Tim Nesheim with the ND Geologic Survey about the potential for oil production in different benches in western North Dakota, a panel discussion about the education funding needs of western communities and an interim legislative report from Senator Rich Wardner.
Lt. Governor Brent Sanford will deliver a keynote address during the noon luncheon. The afternoon agenda includes details on lignite research and marketing efforts, and will conclude with a traditional county-by-county production report from Lynn Helms, director of the Department of Mineral Resources. The association's annual business meeting and election of officers will wrap up the event.
Click
here for the agenda and registration details. A block of rooms has been reserved at the Grand Hotel. To receive the discounted rate, guests should mention WDEA Annual Meeting when registering. Contact the hotel at: 701-852-3161 or (800) 735-4493.
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Quick Connect
- Comment sought on Oasis, Iron Oil projects near Missouri River -- Williston Herald
- Dakota Access Pipeline wins approval to build Harrisburg, SD pump station -- Argus Leader
- Industrial Commission to hold hearing November 15 for gas gathering strategy -- NDIC
- Landowner advocates host students to educate about effects of oil drilling -- KXMB-TV
- Lake Sakakawea in decline preparing for spring runoff, outflow over inflow -- Minot Daily News
- Army Corps: 2019 Missouri River runoff could set a record, surpass 2011 -- Bismarck Tribune
- Roosevelt Medora foundation president tapped as library fundraising director -- Fargo Forum
- District 8 resident starts recall process for two school board members -- Williston Herald
- Williams County District 8 hears from constituents on high school plans -- Williston Herald
- What you need to know about Williams County's school district study -- Williston Herald
- Pilot project taking shape for electronic land posting in North Dakota -- Bismarck Tribune
- Future carbon Capture system in Center could lead the world in CO2 recovery -- KFYR-TV
- ND Ethics Commission voted unanimously to decline first complaint -- Bismarck Tribune
- City of Williston begins to accept proposals for Sloulin Field redevelopment -- Williston Herald
- Skarphol: How much is oil and gas industry withholding from royalty owners? -- Williston Herald
- First phase of $3.5 million Veterans Memorial Park in Watford City almost complete -- KFYR-TV
- Bakken looks to add 445 MMcf/d of natural gas processing before year's end -- S&P Global
- Warning from California blackouts, America's grid infrastructure is wearing out -- Inside Sources
- House "Green New Deal" Democrats to hold hearings on climate conspiracy -- Inside Sources
- The United States now exports crude oil to more destinations than from which it imports -- EIA
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Factoid of the Week
Watford City experienced the highest percentage increase in taxable sales and purchases of all cities in North Dakota in a recent analysis. New figures comparing 2Q 2019 to the same period in 2018 show an increase of 35.6%. McKenzie County’s increase in the same time frame came in at 30.4% putting it in the top five counties in the country.
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October 28
Bismarck
October 30
Devils Lake
October 30-31
Minot
November 4-5
Williston
November 6
Bismarck
November 6
Williston
November 12-13
Fargo
November 13
Linton
November 18
Williston
November 28
Grand Forks
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Oil prices and rig count
October 25, 2019
WTI Crude: $56.66
Brent Crude: $62.02
Natural Gas: $2.30
North Dakota Active Rigs: 57 (down 4)
10/25/2018
-- 68 rigs
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Geoff Simon
Editor/Executive Director
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