Energy

Relating to the membership of the clean sustainable energy authority and the clean sustainable energy fund line of credit; and to provide for a transfer.

Relating to a limited exemption for development incentive wells; to amend and reenact sections 57‑51‑02.6, 57‑51‑05, and 57‑51.1‑01 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the temporary exemption for oil and gas wells employing a system to avoid flaring, an exemption from gross production tax for gas produced from certain enhanced oil recovery projects, and the definition of development incentive well; to provide an effective date; and to provide an expiration date.

Relating to standards for well drilling and installation of water well pumps, pitless units, and monitoring wells, a boards review task force, a water well contractors advisory board, and requirements for firms engaged in water well work, installation of water well pump and pitless units, monitoring well work, and drilling of geothermal systems; to amend and reenact section 6‑09‑43, subdivision j of subsection 2 of section 15.1‑01‑04, sections 15.1‑07‑33 and 23‑35‑02.2, subsection 1 of section 50‑06‑01.4, sections 52‑02‑02 and 52‑02‑08, subsection 1 of section 54‑07‑01.2, sections 54‑54‑05, 54‑59‑26, 54‑59‑27, 54‑59‑34, 54‑59‑36, 54‑59‑37, 54‑59‑39, 61‑03‑01.3, 61‑04.1‑03, 61‑04.1‑08, 61‑04.1‑09, 61‑04.1‑12, 61‑04.1‑14, 61‑04.1‑15, 61‑04.1‑16, 61-04.1‑17, 61‑04.1‑18, 61‑04.1‑19, 61‑04.1‑20, 61‑04.1‑21, 61‑04.1‑33, 61‑04.1‑34, 61‑04.1‑37, 61‑04.1‑38, and 61‑04.1‑39, and subdivision a of subsection 2 of section 65‑02‑03.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the wastewater recycling treatment guide, boards and commissions, the unemployment insurance advisory council, gubernatorial appointments, the committee on aging, health information technology advisory committee, statewide longitudinal data system committee, atmospheric resource board, the department of health and human services, the council on the arts, the state engineer, the superintendent of public instruction, job service North Dakota, and workforce safety and insurance coordinating committee; to repeal chapter 8‑11.1, sections 12‑48‑06.1, 15.1‑37‑05, 15.1‑37‑06, and 15.1‑37‑08, chapter 17‑07, sections 19‑24.1‑38, 19‑24.1‑39, and 23‑35‑02.3, chapters 34‑16 and 43‑35, sections 50‑06‑05.6, 50‑06.4‑10, 50‑11.1‑25, 50‑11.1‑26, 50‑11.1‑27, 52‑02‑07, 54‑34.3‑10, 54‑54‑10, 54‑59‑25, 54‑59‑33, 54‑59‑35, 54‑59‑38, 54‑60‑25, 55‑01‑13, 55‑01‑14, 61‑04.1‑04, 61‑04.1‑05, 61‑04.1‑06, 61‑04.1‑07, and 61‑04.1‑10, and chapter 61‑36 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to occupational and professional boards, the midwest interstate passenger rail compact, prison industry advisory committee, energy policy commission, medical marijuana advisory committee, onsite wastewater recycling technical committee, state board of water well contractors, committee on aging, brain injury advisory council, early childhood council, unemployment insurance advisory council, commission on the status of women, health information technology advisory committee, poet laureate nominating board, rural development council, America 250 commission, atmospheric resource board, and Devils Lake outlet management advisory committee; to provide for a legislative management report; to provide an effective date; and to provide an expiration date.

Relating to a partial exemption from the coal conversion facilities tax and the imposition of a lignite research tax, allocation of the coal conversion facilities privilege tax and the lignite research tax, and an exemption from the coal severance tax; to repeal section 57‑60‑02.2 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the exemption from the coal conversion facilities tax and the imposition of a lignite research tax; to provide an effective date; to provide a contingent effective date; and to provide an expiration date.

Relating to qualifications for renewable electricity and recycled energy credits; and to repeal sections 49‑02‑28, 49‑02‑29, 49‑02‑30, 49‑02‑31, 49‑02‑32, 49‑02‑33, and 49‑02‑34 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the state renewable and recycled energy objectives, public reporting, qualifications and applications to the statewide objectives, the purchase and retirement of renewable energy certificates to meet the objectives, verification of generation and the purchase of certificates, and economic evaluations on the use of renewable and recycled energy.

HCR 3017 is a symbolic resolution designating December 6th as "Miner's Day" in North Dakota to honor coal miners. It recognizes coal miners' contributions to providing reliable, affordable energy (supplying 55% of the state's electricity) and supporting the economy ($5.5 billion in business activity, 12,000 jobs). The resolution urges the federal government to repeal the 2009 Endangerment Finding and revise regulations it claims disadvantage coal, while promoting carbon capture and coal-based technologies. This is a non-binding resolution with no legal effect, solely intended to publicly acknowledge coal miners' work and advocate for federal policy changes.

HB 1275 proposes a one-time $5 million appropriation from North Dakota's strategic investment fund to create a natural gas infrastructure grant program administered by the Industrial Commission. The program would provide grants exclusively to cities with populations under 10,000 for installing natural gas pipelines and related infrastructure. Funds are limited to the 2025-2027 biennium and cannot be used for other purposes, with the Industrial Commission responsible for setting eligibility rules and maximum grant amounts. The bill does not affect individuals or larger municipalities outside the specified population threshold.

HB 1292 would remove carbon dioxide pipelines from being classified as "common pipeline carriers" under North Dakota law. This change directly affects owners and operators of CO2 pipelines by exempting them from requirements to transport any customer's CO2 without discrimination at set rates. The bill amends sections 49-19-01, 49-19-11, and 49-19-19 of the North Dakota Century Code to exclude CO2 pipelines from the definition and rules governing common carriers. This policy shift modifies how CO2 pipeline operations are regulated, separating them from traditional oil/gas pipeline common carrier obligations.

Relating to the evaluation of economic development tax incentives, the carbon dioxide capture and injection use tax exemption, and the ad valorem property tax exemption for carbon dioxide capture equipment used for enhanced oil recovery and secure geologic storage; to repeal sections 57‑06‑17.1, 57‑06‑17.2, and 57‑39.2‑04.14 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the carbon dioxide pipeline exemption, payments in lieu of taxes for certain carbon dioxide pipeline property, and the carbon dioxide capture and injection sales tax exemption; and to provide an effective date.

HB 1309 would require North Dakota state agencies to verify that companies they contract with do not boycott energy (including fossil fuels), mining, production agriculture, or firearms industries. Companies must confirm they aren’t refusing business with entities in these sectors to penalize them, as defined by the bill. This applies to for-profit businesses with 10+ employees and $100,000+ in value. Exceptions exist if services aren’t commercially available or if the contract conflicts with legal duties. The bill is pending, having failed committee review in January 2025.