Central ND News

The North Dakota Industrial Commission has taken steps to support the construction of a new natural gas pipeline in the state. The commission directed the executive director of the North Dakota Pipeline Authority to start contract discussions with WBI Energy Transmission for the purchase of transport capacity. This financial commitment is seen as an important step to advance the pipeline project.

In a joint statement, the Commission said, “Today marks a pivotal milestone in the state’s effort to build much-needed natural gas pipeline infrastructure. This project will move abundant natural gas to end users across the state and support the longevity of oil production in North Dakota, which will benefit our economy for generations to come.”

Justin Kringstad, executive director of the Pipeline Authority, commented on the significance of the project. “This project is about positioning North Dakota for the future. As natural gas production grows, we need reliable, scalable infrastructure that expands takeaway capacity and connects our resources to new market opportunities,” said Kringstad. “It reflects the collaborative spirit of industry and policymakers working together to responsibly advance our state’s energy future.”

The Industrial Commission acts as the North Dakota Pipeline Authority and has authority to purchase capacity rights in pipeline systems to help with production and delivery of energy commodities produced in North Dakota. Recent legislative action expanded funding for such purchases; Senate Bill 2014 from the 69th Legislative Assembly increased available funds up to $100 million per biennium.

The Industrial Commission includes Governor Kelly Armstrong as chairman, Attorney General Drew Wrigley, and Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring.