The Future of ND Energy

A group of North Dakota energy leaders is crafting the future of its industry North Dakota is already considered a leader in the energy industry Brad Feldman shows us how some changes could help increase the state s energy production From the traditional sources coal and oil to the newer alternative sources such as wind and ethanol North Dakota is leading the way Gov John Hoeven And that is true that our greatest strength in North Dakota is that we are not just producing one or two types of energy We are producing energy from all sources Governor Hoeven appointed a fourteen member group to look for ways to make North Dakota a bigger player in the energy industry They have met since last September and today the group is presenting its recommendations Shane Goettle ND Dept of Commerce Its about growing all energy segments of our economy That means new jobs for our people it means opportunities for our youth its about growing our state and making our communities stronger The group outlines ten key areas where the state can improve One of them is to build one possibly more clean-coal electric generation plants A plant is already in the planning stages for the South Heart area The group also wants to see four hundred fifty million gallons of ethanol produced in the state by 2011 To date the state already produces one hundred ten million gallons of ethanol This number will double when the Hankinson plant goes on line Another area the group wants to see increased is wind energy They think the state should have the capacity of wind generation of fifteen hundred megawatts by 2020 The state already produces three hundred eighty-five megawatts of wind energy Shane Goettle ND Dept of Commerce The goals set targets for us to define success both in the short term and in the long term Goettle says as each of the goals are met and surpassed they will continue to look at more ways to grow each part of the energy industry in the state Sandi Tabor Lignite Energy Council Our country wants more renewables They want more ways to have access to renewables and were one of the key leaders in providing that energy and so we ll need to figure out how to do it Brad Feldman KX News