Issue Position: Energy
Our fourth pillar, energy, is a key industry for our state, but we have only tapped the possibilities. Further development of both our traditional and renewable resources will help North Dakota lead the way to becoming an energy-independent nation and become the energy powerhouse for our state, region and nation.
Energy has become one of the state's key industries and Governor Hoeven is working to capitalize on North Dakota's natural resources to make it the energy powerhouse of the region and nation.
Leading the Way in Alternative Fuels
Hoeven has been a major proponent of using value-added agriculture to complement our renewable energy industry. North Dakota producers have a new market for their crops in the development of ethanol and biodiesel facilities. Four years ago, North Dakota had only two ethanol facilities and produced no biodiesel. With projects constructed and in development,
North Dakota will produce more than half a billion gallons of ethanol per year and more than 85 million gallons of biodiesel per year.
Last session alone, Hoeven and the North Dakota Legislature invested $42 million in a renewable energy package to build our energy future.
Diversifying the Energy Sector
North Dakota is also utilizing its wind resources by developing wind farms throughout the state which will produce more than 1500 megawatts of wind powera huge increase from the half a megawatt the state generated just four years ago. In addition, FPL Energy Inc. recently announced plans to build one of the nation's largest wind farms in Oliver and Morton counties. The facility is expected to produce 1,000 megawatts of electricity per year,
enough to power more than 240,000 homes.
Capitalizing on our Traditional Energy Resources
North Dakota is leading the way forward in the development of clean coal technology including carbon dioxide capture and sequestration, as well as new production of oil and gas.
Governor Hoeven has forged programs that are enabling our state to produce more energy and create quality jobs with good environmental stewardship.
Maximizing Our Resources
With support from industry leaders, Hoeven has developed EmPower ND, a comprehensive statewide energy plan that includes aggressive policy goals and incentives targeted to both traditional and renewable resources. These include production, marketing, finance and tax incentives to best utilize our natural resources.
Hoeven also led the way for the creation of Pipeline and Transmission Authorities within the Industrial Commission that will promote investments in new transmission lines and pipelines in North Dakota to move the energy we produce to market.