According to this article, North Dakota has had a 3.6 percent increase in births.  It appears that several new young families have been drawn to the state by the oil boom.

This morning three resolutions that could let Congress know where the state of North Dakota stands on issues like greenhouse gas regulations and drilling for more oil were heard.  In the afternoon, three bills offering tax incentives to energy companies–including NextEra Energy Resources, which is expanding its wind energy development in the state–were signed by Gov. John Hoeven in a special signing ceremony.

It was one of those moments when the energy of energy really spoke for itself.  Everybody was smiling, with good reason.

• The Lurgi Process
• The Cost and Byproducts of Controlling Emissions
• CO2 Sequestration in North Dakota:  Making History

This was an extremely fun package to write.  I learned much about coal-fired energy and about carbon sequestration in particular–something that could be a lot of  fun to watch develop here.

Some feel that developing clean coal technology may buy us time to develop economically feasible and sustainable renewable energy resources.  Read more about it here.

From the article:

“Our membership made it clear they wanted Basin Electric to be a leader in the development of renewable energy by setting one of the most aggressive renewable energy goals in the country,” said Ron Harper, Basin Electric’s CEO and general manager. “We are well on our way to fulfilling that promise.”

Last week I heard someone mention another possible project–storing high-pressure wind in caverns to use when the wind isn’t blowing.  I don’t know who is in charge of that or how it would work but it piqued my interest.

Wind power has a lot of potential.

It’s interesting to compare mental notes of last Legislative session ,when oil drilling in the Bakken area was a huge deal to this session, when legislators are concerned with how much money to save and spend from the result of all that drilling.

According to an article printed in Business Watch, there is another oil-rich formation below the Bakken shale formation.  Apparently Sen. Byron Dorgan would like to have this new oil possibility studied.  That might be old news for some, but I missed it, and it got me wondering what other things I was missing from our congressional delegation.

I found this article from Sen. Dorgan’s web page almost immediately.   I’m truly glad he wants the Three Affiliated Tribes to benefit from drilling in the Bakken as much as people in the surrounding areas benefit. 

And who knows–maybe it’s just another boom-bust cycle–but the fact that our delegation is still thinking about oil development on the great plains and renewable resources as well makes me think this boom might stay for a while–in spite of those fluctuating oil prices.

Here’s a description of Sen. Dorgan’s energy policy, taken from his web site:

To address the energy crisis facing the country, Senator Dorgan believes we need a balanced and diverse approach toward our energy policy. As chair of the Energy Subcommittee of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Dorgan has called for an energy “moon shot” that includes renewable energy, energy efficiency technologies, as well as using our domestic natural resources like oil, natural gas, and coal. Dorgan believes that investments in carbon capture and storage technologies will reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from coal fired power plants and other fossil energy sources.  In order for our nation to be energy secure, we need to rely on a diverse set of domestic resources. 

So maybe, if this oil boom stays steady, it will be because it adds to a clean balanced energy philosophy.  Diversification seems to be a pretty good choice for a healthy economy.

However, that issue will most likely be addressed in the upcoming legislative session.  Meanwhile, North Dakota leaders seem to have strong faith that our oil industry will continue to boom, despite a downturn and the national financial situation.

While touting the state’s relatively healthy economy, which many people attribute to oil development on the Bakken formation, Duggan worked in the forecasts showing a slightly higher chance than 50/50 that the recession will hit here in the first quarter of 2009.

But even then, it sounds like ND is in good shape compared to the rest of the nation.  From the article:

“It’s certainly not a guarantee,” said David Flynn, a UND professor who authored the report. “It’s saying the risk factors are higher than they’ve been in quite a long time.”

Flynn said if the state does experience a recession sometime next year, it’s likely to be a short-term dip rather than a prolonged one.

Still, “we are in a very enviable position right now,” he said.