COAL

Trump signs executive orders to boost coal, a reliable but polluting energy source

President Donald Trump holds a signed executive order during an event in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Washington, as Environmental Protection Agency director Lee Zeldin and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum watch. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed a series of executive orders aimed at boosting the struggling coal industry, a…

Burgum gives EV plan the cold shoulder

BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) – Gov. Doug Burgum bashed the idea of electric vehicles in North Dakota as the state Industrial Commission passed, at least for now, on funding a regional plan for EVs. “We know that electric vehicles and cold temperatures just don’t mix,” said Burgum, one of three members of the commission. The commission was asked to…

Otter Tail Power to keep stake in North Dakota coal plant

FERGUS FALLS, Minn. (KVRR/KFGO) — Fergus Falls-based Otter Tail Power reverses its decision to divest from a large North Dakota coal-fired power plant, citing new risks in the Midwest electricity market. Otter Tail Power announced two years ago it would sell its minority stake in the Coyote Station Power Plant in Beulah, North Dakota. At the time, the company said…

Burgum Bashes White House While Praising North Dakota Oil And Gas Industry

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP/KVRR) — Gov. Doug Burgum is praising the oil and gas industry for being a “powerhouse” and “game-changer” for the state’s economy. He is also bashing the White House for trying to shift the country away from climate change-causing fossil fuels. Citing recent studies, the Republican governor says the industry contributed more than $42 billion to the state’s…

Walz Signs 2040 Clean Energy Bill, N.D. Gets Ready to Sue

ST. PAUL (KVRR/AP/KFGO) — Minnesota utilities will be obligated to transition to 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2040 to step up the fight against climate change under a bill just signed by Gov. Tim Walz. It’s a top priority for Democrats, who control both chambers, and for Democratic Walz, who has made it an important part of his climate agenda….

North Dakota U.S. Sen. John Hoeven Sworn In For 3rd Term

WASHINGTON, D.C. (KVRR) — North Dakota Republican Sen. John Hoeven is sworn in for his third term along with fellow election winners including John Fetterman of Pennsylvania. Vice President Kamala Harris was the first woman to preside over opening day in the Senate as she swore in new senators. Hoeven says the 118th Congress needs to focus on addressing the…

North Dakota Leaders Praise U.S. Supreme Court Ruling Against EPA

WASHINGTON, D.C. (KVRR) — North Dakota’s Republican leaders are praising the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling against the EPA. The court said that the Clean Air Act does not give the EPA broad authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from power plants that contribute to global warming. North Dakota was one of 20 states that petitioned with West Virginia. “North Dakota…

Researchers examining rare elements in North Dakota coal

Rare elements (USGS)GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Researchers plan to spend the next year looking at whether it might be possible to recover some of the rare elements used to make magnets for electric motors and cell phones, batteries and other high-tech products from North Dakota’s coal seams. It’s already been proven that some rare earth elements and other critical minerals…

Minnkota Power & Summit Carbon Solutions Join Forces on CO2 Storage

Milton R. Young Station/Center, NDGRAND FORKS, N.D. (KFGO) – A North Dakota-based power cooperative and an Iowa company announced an agreement Thursday to co-develop carbon dioxide storage facilities. Minnkota Power Cooperative of Grand Forks and Ames, Iowa-based Summit Carbon Solutions said the CO2 storage facilities would be located in western North Dakota, near the town of Center. Minnkota and Summit…

ND governor seeks to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) — Governor Doug Burgum announces an effort to make North Dakota carbon-neutral by the end of the 2030. The announcement came at the Williston Basin Petroleum Conference in Bismarck. Burgum says the state could gain an advantage by storing carbon by creating an enhanced oil recovery plan with carbon. Ron Ness, President of the North Dakota Petroleum…