NATURAL GAS Archives - KVRR Local News

2 natural gas pipelines compete for $500M financial backstop from North Dakota

August 20, 2025

KVRR Staff,

North Dakota Pipeline Authority Executive Director Justin Kringstad listens to a presentation during a July 30, 2025, North Dakota Industrial Commission meeting. (Photo by Mary Steurer/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — Two pipeline companies are competing for a financial guarantee of up to $500 million from the North Dakota government to bring natural gas to the eastern half…

“Crack the Code 2.0” Aims to Double Oil Recovery in the Bakken

Energy Secretary Chris Wright stopped in Grand Forks to talk about technological innovation and the federal government's regulatory role.

August 13, 2025

Gabriel Ostler,

\GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Energy Secretary Chris Wright spoke at the Energy and Environmental Research Center in Grand Forks alongside federal and local lawmakers, talking about one very clear goal – double the amount of oil production in the Bakken. “We peaked at 1.5 million barrels a day. Now we’re down to 1.1 million barrels. And that’s going to keep…

Red River Commodities Processing Plant Explosion Was Caused By Dust, Not Natural Gas

May 14, 2025

TJ Nelson,

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — An update to what was believed to be a natural gas explosion last month at a Red River Commodities food processing plant in north Fargo. An investigation has determined that it was actually a dust explosion involving one of the storage bins in the facility. Fargo Fire crews were called to the plant after the explosion…

North Dakota regulators weigh Xcel Energy and MDU natural gas rate increases

July 30, 2024

KVRR Staff,

BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) – Two North Dakota natural gas utility providers are proposing to increase residential gas rates between 7.5% and 12.5% in coming months after holding public input sessions with the state’s Public Service Commission in July. The increases would affect North Dakota residents who receive natural gas from Northern States Power Company, a part of Xcel…

Xcel Energy warns customers of rising costs as natural gas demand increases

If you're an Xcel Energy customer, expect another price increase as you heat your home.

December 22, 2022

Site Staff,

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — As cold weather across much of the U.S. affects production and demand for natural gas, Xcel Energy is urging their customers to consider conserving for the next few days. “We always want to be proactive and let our customers know when things like this happen, to be prepared. Whether that’s keeping your curtains open during the…

Gas Leak In West Fargo After Crews Cut Natural Gas Line

September 1, 2022

KVRR Staff,

WEST FARGO, N.D. (KFGO) — A contractor cut a four-inch natural gas line during installation this morning causing a gas leak that cut off service to about 30 Xcel Energy customers. The area impacted was from the intersection of County Road 17 and 32nd Avenue north of West Fargo. The gas pipe is under a railroad line. As a precaution,…

North Bakken Expansion project online in North Dakota

February 9, 2022

Jim Monk,

TIOGA, N.D. – A new $250 million natural gas pipeline in northwest North Dakota has gone online. WBI Energy announced construction and testing were completed for its North Bakken Expansion project, transferring natural gas from core production areas near Tioga to the Northern Border Pipeline near Watford City. Officials say it will add an additional 250 million cubic feet per…

Grand Forks mayor asks lawmakers to expedite pipeline project

November 9, 2021

Jim Monk,

Mayor Brandon BochenskiBISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR/KCND) – Grand Forks Mayor Brandon Bochenski is asking North Dakota lawmakers to shorten the timeline for constructing a pipeline that would bring Bakken natural gas to the Red River Valley. The legislature is considering a proposal to spend $150 million from the latest federal COVID-19 money for the pipeline, to be built along the U.S….

Xcel Energy seeks approval to raise natural gas rates in North Dakota

September 23, 2021

Jim Monk,

FARGO (KVRR/KCND) – Xcel Energy has filed for a natural gas rate increase. The company wants to raise the basic monthly charge for natural gas service from $18.48 a month to $24.28. North Dakota Public Service Commissioner Brian Kroshus says Xcel has the right to file for an increase, but he says it comes on the heels of natural gas price…

Pipeline will bring natural gas to Wahpeton, Breckenridge, Kindred

July 28, 2021

Jim Monk,

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR/KCND) – Montana-Dakota Utilities and WBI Energy plan to build a natural gas pipeline extension to bring more natural gas to the Wahpeton-Breckenridge area. MDU Spokesman Mark Hanson says the 60 mile extension will run from Mapleton to Wahpeton and will also bring natural gas to Kindred. Currently, Wahpeton-Breckenridge is served by Great Plains Natural Gas, an MDU…