Geoff Simon’s Quick Connects — August 4, 2023

• Pipeline companies fined $12.5M for oil spills in ND, Montana -- Dickinson Press

• Burgum defends eminent domain to build carbon pipelines -- Des Moines Register

• Suspect in ND substation attack caused $4 million in damages -- Dickinson Press

• Phoenix Capital, oil and gas acquisition company, expands to ND -- EnergyPortal.eu

• CSEA approves five projects; over half of funding going to Project Tundra -- Bismarck Tribune

• DOT awards nearly $300,000 to ND PSC to maintain pipeline safety and regulations -- Kevin Cramer

• Enbridge Energy confirms fourth aquifer breach in northern Minnesota since 2021 -- Bismarck Tribune

• Xcel Energy on its way to a 'carbon-free' future by 2050, relying on natural gas backup -- Prairie Public

• MDU Resources reports higher second quarter earnings of 72 cents per share -- PR Newswire

• Northwest District Court judge denies plea agreement for man involved in skimming oil -- KFYR - TV

• As of Aug 1, North Dakota to begin reporting all traffic violations to insurance companies -- KFYR - TV

• Development Fund seeks applicants for fertilizer facility loans; keep more natgas in ND -- KX News

• NDGOP leader Sandi Sanford fights off 'extreme' label from outside and within party -- Dickinson Press

• North Dakota Senator Kevin Cramer still undecided on reelection run in the 2024 election -- KFYR - TV

• Federal appeals court upholds 2021 ruling favoring North Dakota water projects -- Bismarck Tribune

• Gov. Doug Burgum to visit North Dakota National Guard troops at US-Mexico border -- Dickinson Press

• State to have extra patrols enforcing speed limits, removing aggressive drivers through 8/17 -- KFGO

• Q1 Taxable sales in McKenzie County reaches five-year high of more than $76 million -- KFYR - TV

• Doug Burgum says gift card promotion let him get his message out, qualify for debate -- Newsmax

• Meet the unusually qualified presidential candidate you've never heard of -- The Washington Post

• Billings County sued over eminent domain as bridge dispute rekindles -- Bismarck Tribune

• Construction east of Watford City prompts closure; in place until mid-September -- Bismarck Tribune

• Construction scheduled to begin on US Hwy 2, US Hwy 83 intersection exit ramps -- Minot Daily News

• Pursuit leads to crash in construction zone, serious injuries for driver in Mountrail County -- KFYR - TV

• Medora eyes new rodeo complex, cabin resort in preparation for presidential library -- Dickinson Press

• Williams County Commissioners approve preliminary $116 million budget for 2024 -- Williston Herald

• North Dakota, Montana legislators looking to extend northern Ports of Entry hours -- KFYR-TV

• Interest in solar facility leads Divide County to contemplate zoning ordinance changes -- The Journal

• Work-based learning program touted for recruiting the next generation of employees -- Tioga Tribune

• Dickinson man arrested in meth lab bust, pound of meth and 30 firearms seized -- Dickinson Press

• Dickinson city officials initiate I-94 Speed Safety Study, approve new ordinances -- Dickinson Press

• Billings County sued over eminent domain as proposed bridge dispute rekindles -- Bismarck Tribune

• UND awarded $2.5 million to further carbon capture technology at Dickinson refinery -- KFYR - TV

• State's teacher shortage creating 'imminent peril' as board seeks emergency rule -- Dickinson Press

• McKenzie County parents and students prepare to return the the classroom -- McKenzie County Farmer

• Williston School Board incumbents looking to remain on board amid recall election -- KFYR-TV

• New Divide County School District director of special ed brings 19 years of experience -- The Journal

• Tioga's 7th annual Drone Camp for Kids is set for August 12-13; participation is free -- Tioga Tribune

• Minot Workforce Academy to open CDL training for high school seniors, interested adults -- KFYR - TV

• Lawmakers scramble to mirror Minnesota tuition program in bid to retain student population -- Fox News

• Four Senate Democrats call on AG Garland to sue fossil fuel industry for misleading public -- The Hill

• Biden admin proposes to raise fuel efficiency requirements for cars by 20% over six years -- E&E News

• While Biden shuts down US coal, China's coal use surges to record levels -- Cowboy State Daily

• China's energy-security push drives up fossil-fuel approvals, 50 GW of coal in 2023 -- Reuters

• Shale pioneer, billionaire Harold Hamm continues to bet big on US crude production -- Energy Portal

• China is playing Biden officials for suckers on climate change -- Fox News - Sen. John Barrasso

• US pulls back offer to buy 6M barrels of oil for emergency reserve as prices expected to rise -- Reuters

• Biden administration's energy infrastructure reform attempts draw GOP ire -- Natural Gas Intelligence

• Oil prices set for sixth weekly gain as producers pledge output cuts through next month -- Reuters

• US crude inventories unexpectedly fall by sizable 15.4 million barrels; oil prices balloon -- Oil Price

• 39 Senate Republicans urging EPA to withdraw 'fundamentally flawed' power plant rule -- The Hill

• Euromonitor's first-ever Global Energy Vulnerability Index highlights int'l risk of energy shocks -- AJOT

• Biden administration's latest natural gas appliance target: gas water heaters -- Energy in Depth

• U.S. quest for key minerals leads to a remote nation surrounded by leading adversaries -- E&E News

• MN Supreme Court rules against disputed mine, says state officials hid EPA warnings -- AP News

• Companies with good ESG scores pollute as much as low-rated rivals -- Financial Times

• Energy trade groups urge Biden to support domestic energy with offshore leasing -- World Oil