Geoff Simon's Quick Connects -- November 24, 2023

• State's elected officials weigh in on pipelines & North Dakota landowners -- KX News

• MDU seeks natural gas rate increase; PSC must approve -- Bismarck Tribune

• EPA awards $400,000 to reduce diesel emissions in North Dakota -- Kevin Cramer

• Appeals court sides with law enforcement in DAPL lawsuit -- Bismarck Tribune

• Letter: Cramer is right about advocating for permitting reform -- Grand Forks Herald

• ND legislators made 'promise' not to alter $125M forgivable loan for fertilizer plants -- Dickinson Press

• Produced water spills from pipeline in Billings County, contaminating pastureland -- Dickinson Press

• ND natural gas production breaking records as takeaway projects advance -- Natural Gas Intelligence

• Williston API presents FRACN8R Monte Besler with lifetime achievement award -- Facebook

• North Dakota poll shows majority do not support property tax elimination measure -- Bismarck Tribune

• Governor, First Lady invite public to State Christmas Tree lighting ceremony -- Office of the Governor

• North Dakota becomes a winter wonderland, promising visitors a legendary holiday -- PR Newswire

• 53rd Annual Badlands Art Show celebrates record-breaking turnout of 2,000 visitors -- Dickinson Press

• Dynamic Shift: Dickinson Police Department promotes four for command roles -- Dickinson Press

• MAGIC Fund dollars would go to more defined uses under new proposed guideline -- Minot Daily News

• Dickens Village Festival kicks off its 30th anniversary season this Friday -- McLean County Independent

• Bakken Area Skills Center is on track to be completed end of December -- McKenzie County Farmer

• "Magical Medora Christmas" to visit 26 communities across 4 states, Minot included -- Minot Daily News

• The enduring legacy of Roosevelt Elementary's 'Grandma Johanne' in education -- Dickinson Press

• Farm to School meetings seek help to bring local food to youth across North Dakota -- KFYR - TV

• Student absences, engagement, well-being major points for Divide County School Board -- The Journal

• How North Dakota schools are addressing staff shortages and higher student needs -- KX News

• NASA engineer from Williston speaks with Divide County High School 7th, 8th graders -- The Journal

• Dickinson schools consider designs for renovation after multi-million dollar bond passes -- KFYR - TV

• BSC exploring offering bachelor's degrees in science to meet energy workforce needs -- Prairie Public

• More than 1 million gallons of oil may have spilled in Gulf of Mexico off New Orleans coast -- The Hill

• Kemmemer Wyoming looks beyond its coal roots with a nuclear power plant -- The Washington Post

• Biden hasn't named pipeline chief after record-long vacancy. Is regulatory push in peril? -- E&E News

• ERCOT cancels program to boost power reserves ahead of potentially precarious winter -- NBC-DFW

• New York postpones retiring four gas-fired power plants to maintain reliable supply in NYC -- Reuters

• Biden could push highly anticipated rule guiding use of hydrogen tax credits release to 2024 -- Reuters

• Federal oil leasing stalls in Montana; lawmakers push for sales in 2024 budget -- Billings Gazette

• Global oil market to see slight surplus in 2024 even if OPEC+ extend their cuts into next year -- Reuters

• Biden administration backing French plan to cripple coal industry at UN climate conference -- Reuters

• Despite China's phony climate pledges, Beijing's coal boom is here to stay -- Real Clear Energy

• What happened to evidence-based science? Journalists regurgitate talking points -- American Thinker

• Oil and gas 'not the problem' for climate, says UK's net zero minister, emissions are -- The Guardian

Monday, November 20, 20223

Wells of interest:

• 17350: off line; trending toward 500K bbls crude oil cumulative;
• 17753: off line; 550K bbls crude oil, cumulative;
• 17314: just went "PA" -- 500K bbls crude oil cumulative;
• 17256, remains on line; 560K bbls crude oil cumulative;
• 17316, off line; 546K bbls crude oil cumulative;
• 16754, off line, 481K bbls crude oil cumulative;

Geoff Simon's Quick Connects -- November 17, 2023

• ND sets another gas production record; oil output rises by 4.5% -- Bismarck Tribune

• Senator Kevin Cramer introduces bipartisan bill to address energy taxes -- KX News

• DMR considers more new rules; comment period extended -- Bismarck Tribune

• SD lawmakers briefed on requirements state needs for nuclear power -- SDPB

• Projected cost of proposed Epitome Energy soybean crush facility increases $55M -- Dickinson Press

• Judge blocks environmentalist effort to stop 5,000 new Converse County oil wells -- Cowboy State Daily

• Bakken gas output long-lived as gas-to-oil ratios strengthen, overall production climbs -- S&P Global

• North Dakota Dem-NPL and GOP parties look ahead to 2024 general election -- Dickinson Press

• North Dakota Poll shows Trump strong favorite among voters; Burgum distant third -- Bismarck Tribune

• First North Dakota Poll shows disconnect between state's voters and legislators -- Bismarck Tribune

• North Dakota Poll suggests voters aren't thrilled with legislative policy -- Public News Service

• Judge sides with tribes in Voting Rights Act case, orders legislative district 9 and 15 be redrawn -- AP

• Rob Port: Who is ready for another special legislative session, redistricting ordered -- Fargo Forum

• North Dakota PERS board ousts Scott Miller; Rebecca Fricke to lead in interim -- Bismarck Tribune

• New income-tax credits could mean hundreds in savings for North Dakota earners -- Minot Daily News

• Ethics Commission to discuss rules for officials' spending on out-of-state travel -- Bismarck Tribune

• North Dakota sees 5.5% increase in taxable transactions for third quarter of 2023 -- Minot Daily News

• Talon Metals to line up public input meetings as battery processing project advances -- The Beacon

• Rural North Dakota electric co-ops to receive $4M in federal aid for technical assistance -- KX News

• Public input meeting for proposed improvements on ND Highway 23 scheduled next week -- NDDOT

• U.S. Fish and Wildlife unveils repair plan for full restoration of Lake Ilo dam -- Dickinson Press

• Petition drive to keep horses at Theodore Roosevelt Park gaining steam -- National Parks Traveler

• City allocates over $221,350 in Williston STAR Fund grants to 10 projects -- City of Williston

• City of Minot's Childcare Committee looks into early childhood training program -- Minot Daily News

• North Dakota has a rural childcare problem. Raising workers' wages how to fix it. -- High Plains Reader

• Dickinson Community Thanksgiving Dinner organizes for heartwarming annual feast -- Dickinson Press

• ND property tax plan spurs debate about hurting local schools, governments -- Public News Service

• Williston harvests 8,000 pound, 50 foot tree for annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony -- KFYR - TV

• Williston Basin School District officials provide update on Middle School Central Campus -- KFYR - TV

• Dickinson Schools consider renovation designs after multi-million dollar bond passes -- KFYR-TV

• ND congressional delegation announces 13 nominees for US military academies -- Dickinson Press

• Bank of North Dakota offers free virtual sessions on new federal financial aid forms -- Dickinson Press

• Divide County students learn about leadership, teamwork at first Youth Lead Local event -- The Journal

• North Dakota ag officials holding meetings aimed at expanding "farm to school" food program -- WDAY

• Nedrose president earns North Dakota School Boards Association service award -- Minot Daily News

• ND voc-rehab members recognized for helping disabled residents achieve employment goals -- HHS

• North Dakota is one of top states pushing non-traditional paths necessary for learning -- KX News

• EPA official says carbon rule needs change as groups stress reliability concerns -- Utility Dive

• Manchin the last in line of formidable WV Democrats who promoted coal interests -- Minot Daily News

• India aims to increase coal production nearly 60% by 2030, 1.6 billion tons per year -- Live Mint

• China to start guaranteeing payments to coal-fired power plants based on installed capacity -- Oil Price

• World faces highest geopolitical risks since 1973 oil embargo says Baker Hughes chief exec -- Oil Price

• Utah lawmakers consider controlling power plant to continue burning coal -- Salt Lake Tribune

• North America's LNG export capacity expected to more than double by 2027 projects EIA -- S&P Global

• Oil giant Exxon makes foray into electric vehicle battery, makes 'miniscule' $100M investment -- The Hill

• Exxon's bet on lithium extraction signals interest in the oil industry to diversify portfolios -- Politico

• Brooklyn fire that killed 3 family members was caused by lithium-ion battery in e-scooter -- CNN

• Feds want speed reduction technology in every new car. Are American drivers ready? -- Tech Crunch

• World Meteorological Association: No end in sight to rising greenhouse gas emissions -- Reuters

• The energy transition is getting dose of reality as path to green becomes messier -- Wall Street Journal

• European Union criminalizes environmental damage "comparable to ecocide" -- The Guardian

• Politically-motivated scientific consensus corrupts the process, leads to poor policy -- Climate Etc.

• A year after winter storm, power plant problems 'still likely' in extreme weather -- News from the States

• US drive to make green jet fuel with ethanol is being stalled by CO2 pipeline opponents -- Reuters

Geoff Simon's Quick Connects -- November 10, 2023

• New CO2 capture project gets funding recommendation -- Bismarck Tribu

• ONEOK touts natural gas growth, new all-time high in ND -- Natural Gas Intelligence

• Summit's revised ND route increases its footprint by 4% -- Iowa Capital Dispatch

• Plain Talk: Ethanol executive says carbon capture is a must -- Dickinson Press

• Sioux City Council approves resolution opposing construction of CO2 pipelines -- Sioux City Journal

• Hennen: The rest of the story on EVs; real costs and considerations add up -- Dickinson Press

• Conflict overseas may disrupt oil supplies. What that means for gas prices in ND -- Bismarck Tribune

• Xcel Energy announces layoffs amid focus on organizational structure; 150 jobs eliminated -- KSTP-TV

• Air Force asks Congress to protect nuke sites from encroaching wind turbines -- Bismarck Tribune

• Dakota Access Pipeline protesters lose excessive force claim; law not clearly established -- Bloomberg

• Tribal advocates want more public accommodations for DAPL process -- Public News Service

• Natural gas pipeline extension in southeast North Dakota to benefit state's agribusinesses -- InForum

• PHMSA threatens funding cut over South Dakota's lax pipeline safety enforcement -- SD Searchlight

• North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum falls short of requirements for third GOP debate -- Dickinson Press

• Burgum, Republican presidential candidates meet requirements for North Dakota caucus -- KFYR-TV

• Katrina Christiansen to launch bid for US Senate with month-long statewide tour -- Dickinson Press

• Judges toss lawsuit targeting North Dakota House subdistricts for tribal nations -- Bismarck Tribune

• North Dakota military leaders travel to California for Minuteman III missile test launch -- KX News

• City of Williston looking for public input on upcoming Infrastructure Safety Action Plan -- KFYR - TV

• City of Tioga to hold special election over $10M loan for community center expansion -- KFYR - TV

• Watford City Council members approve the final city budget for 2024 -- McKenzie County Farmer

• U.S. Senate passes $14 million for the UND co-led FAA UAS Center for Excellence -- Dickinson Press

• 'Amazing opportunity' for Mercer County as Talon signs agreement with Dept. of Energy -- The Beacon

• Township road near Noonan needs to be re-graded, but who will pay the cost? -- Crosby Journal

• Public input meeting Nov. 14 for Watford City's transportation and future land use plan -- NDDOT

• Garrison, Hazen, Hebron leadership discusses community daycares -- McLean County Independent

• Community sounds off as Williston school district eyes two new elementary schools -- KFYR-TV

• Officials, healthcare providers react to Williston State College's medical training facility -- KFYR-TV

• NDSU helping shape the next K-12 leaders with new no-cost degree program -- Valley News Live

• Dickinson High School, SWCTE forge path to success in hands-on learning -- Dickinson Press

• Superintendent Johnsrud spearheads Systems of Support Pilot Program -- McKenzie County Farmer

• Center-Stanton marks boost in K-12 enrollment for second year in a row -- The Center Republican

• 52nd annual State Student Congress takes over North Dakota legislative chambers -- KX News

• Former Williston assistant superintendent files discrimination complaint against district -- KFYR - TV

• Central Cass Public Schools host over 1000 ND high school students at 2023 T4 Summit -- InForum

• NDSU announces $3.5M scholarship to counter Minnesota's North Star Promise -- Dickinson Press

• House Republicans approve legislation that would slash EPA budget by nearly 40 percent -- The Hill

• Efficiency drives US crude production increases, offsetting decrease in active drilling rigs -- Oil Price

• California growing dependence on foreign oil makes it a national security risk -- Heartland Institute

• Texans to vote on amendment that would create fund for modernizing electricity generation -- Reuters

• US seeks to buy up to 3M barrels of oil for January delivery to replenish strategic reserve -- Reuters

• Iranian oil exports decline as US House passes SHIP bill that would expand sanctions -- Oil Price

• Wrecking the U.S. electric power grid; reliability threatened, electricity prices skyrocketing -- IER

• Much of US power grid at increased risk of buckling this winter warns top energy regulator -- The Hill

• Advanced nuclear energy project scrapped in a blow to Biden's clean energy agenda -- ABC News

• Heirloom unveils America's first commercial direct air capture facility in California -- Carbon Herald

• China to build gargantuan 22-MW wind turbine; to be among history's largest machines -- New Atlas

• "The big lie": People are "waking up" to the failures of green energy -- Sky News Australia

• As transition to green energy crumbles, funding for climate scare soars -- ManHattan Contrarian

• The Urban Heat Island Effect accounts for much of US global warming since 1895 -- Dr. Roy Spencer

• New York abandons plan for electric snow plows, ineffective in winter months -- Washington Examiner