Legislative Activity

USND had an active 2023 legislative session.  With the utility industry transitioning across the country to include more renewables, baseload fuels are fighting for their future on multiple fronts.  At the RTO level, fuel-based advocacy groups gained a seat at the table to help guide market pricing models which to this point, have not placed value on resiliency and 24/7 availability of baseload sources.  North Dakota has a vested interest in supporting the coal industry, as it contributes significantly to both the communities in which it is mined and generated into electricity and the state's operating and research coffers. 

Successful legislation of the 2023 session include the following:

* support of the lignite industry through expanded funding of the Clean Sustainable Energy Authority;

* protection of energy choice--namely natural gas and propane--from poilitical subdivision restrictions of new and existing homes and businesses;

* tax incentives for expansion of natural gas service; and

* adoption of interim studies of advnaced nuclear generation and natural gas service.