Energy: Where are we now?

Energy: Where are we now?

By CRYSTAL R. REID
Bismarck Tribune

Four years ago, the state was the underdog in the renewable fuels race, lagging behind with no biodiesel facilities, miniscule wind power generation and two small ethanol plants.

Today, an about-face in North Dakota’s energy policies means it’s the sixth largest energy producer in the nation. That turnaround was heavy with incentives, legislation and strong efforts from both industry and government.

Incentives have taken renewable energy production in the state to new highs: A 2002 energy plan set goals that have been met and exceeded, prompting more challenging goals for the future.

In 2003, a countercyclical production program for ethanol was put in place, to help reduce the risk for potential investors. And investors and developers stepped up, as is evident by the now half a billion gallons of ethanol produced in the state.

The state also produces 85 million gallons of biodiesel and has up to 900 megawatts of wind power projects in the works. And the goal to have 50 percent of gasoline in the state blended with ethanol has been surpassed; newer goals set the mark at 75 percent by 2015. The incentives in place, said Gov. John Hoeven, include production, marketing, finance and tax incentives.

“If you look at what we’ve got going, it’s a tremendous number of projects,” Hoeven said. “But we’re committed to doing more.”

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