Dalrymple Calls for Continued Development of Value-Added Energy Projects

Press Release

Speaking today at the Great Plains & Empower ND Energy Conference, Gov. Jack Dalrymple encouraged the continued development of business ventures that add value to North Dakota's abundant energy resources.

"We are making great advances in our energy industry by adding value to our resources right here in North Dakota," Dalrymple said. "North Dakota is a national powerhouse in energy production and we have taken important steps to convert our energy resources into products of greater value. Still there is much more opportunity ahead for us to take value-added energy to a whole new level."

Dalrymple highlighted several value-added projects underway in North Dakota, including CHS Inc.'s plans to build a $3 billion processing plant that will convert natural gas to fertilizers; the Dakota Prairie Refinery which will convert crude oil into diesel fuel and plans announced Monday by Badlands NGL, LLC to build about a $4 billion processing facility that will convert ethane gas into polyethylene, which is used to make a wide variety of plastics.

The governor specifically encouraged energy representatives attending the conference to continue developing projects that reduce flaring, add value to the state's abundant supplies of natural gas and create jobs.

North Dakota has developed a comprehensive energy policy that acknowledges the need for a diverse power supply, and empowers all energy sectors to work together in the interests of meeting the growing demand for affordable energy. North Dakota can also become a national leader in value-added energy, Dalrymple said.

Dalrymple, Sen. John Hoeven, Sen. Heidi Heitkamp and Rep. Kevin Cramer hosted the 8th annual Great Plains & Empower ND Energy Conference which was held at Bismarck State College's National Center of Excellence. The daylong conference included a panel discussion with Dalrymple and the state's congressional delegation as well as presentations by leading energy researchers and developers. Speakers included Karen Alderman Harbert, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Institute for 21st Century Energy, and Charles McConnell, executive director of Rice University's Energy and Environment Initiative.

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