North Dakota
EERC showcases ‘energy research of tomorrow’ at annual summit – UND Today
North Dakota poised to lead nation and world in carbon capture, hydrogen development, rare earth element extraction
Last week, UND’s Energy and Environmental Research Center (EERC) hosted its annual Energizing North Dakota’s Future Summit. The event brings together academics, industry professionals and state policymakers to discuss topics critical to the future of energy production in North Dakota.
Charles Gorecki, CEO of the EERC, kicked off the event — now in its eighth year — by highlighting the state’s position as a major player in the global energy supply chain.
“I really believe providing clean, reliable and affordable energy starts at home,” he said. “We have the opportunity with the resource base we have to solve those challenges — North Dakota is an ideal place to do that. We can export that technology around the country and globe, so we can have more clean, reliable and affordable energy for a growing population that demands it.”
David Straley, director of government and public affairs at the North American Coal Corp. and chair of the EERC Foundation’s board of directors, agreed. Straley also praised the work of the EERC’s more than 200 employees.
“These are some of the best and brightest scientists in America solving real-world problems,” he said.
Delivering the event’s keynote address, UND President Andrew Armacost thanked state legislators in attendance for their continued support of higher education in North Dakota. He cited the $182 million earmarked toward research expenditures at UND last year — up $72 million from four years prior — plus a new science, technology, engineering and mathematics complex and recently launched degree programs in biomedical and aerospace engineering, as evidence of robust scholarship on campus.
Furthermore, the EERC’s work is a key component of UND’s national security initiative — a partnership with the departments of Defense and Homeland Security to bolster research, education and workforce development, Armacost added.
Make no mistake, “energy policy is national security policy,” he said. “How we embed our research in energy systems will be a vital part of this whole national security and space initiative.”
Heartland Hydrogen Hub
As one of seven regional clean energy projects selected to receive funding from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the Heartland Hydrogen Hub is a planned project to decarbonize sectors such as agriculture and manufacturing, while producing clean hydrogen for use in power generation. The EERC will work with industry partners Xcel Energy, Marathon Petroleum Corporation and TC Energy across five states – Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana and Wisconsin.
The total amount allocated toward the project — currently under negotiation — is up to $925 million, funded in part through the federal Infrastructure, Investment and Jobs Act of 2021.
Chad Wocken, assistant director of clean energy solutions at the EERC, said one of the project’s goals is to expand upon hydrogen’s existing applications.
“The hope is that over time, those can expand from what have been traditional industrial uses of hydrogen and start to look at using it as a fuel for heavy duty transportation,” he said. “EERC’s role in the hub is overall program management. As an impartial third party, we can facilitate the public-private partnership — we don’t have a commercial stake in the game.”
Zachary Thobe, senior business development representative at Marathon, said North Dakota is a natural fit for the hub due to its “abundant resource capabilities” in the fields of natural gas and carbon capture — both essential ingredients for producing clean hydrogen
The project also has a workforce development component that will partner with the region’s technical colleges and universities to train students for the jobs that will support the hub’s operations.
Rare Earth Elements
Another area in which North Dakota is poised to be a leader is in the extraction of rare earth elements, harvested from the vast deposits of lignite coal present in the western part of the state.
Jason Laumb, director of advanced energy systems initiatives at the EERC, listed a host of applications requiring the use of rare earth elements, including magnets and batteries.
Laumb added that carbon is critical to making the batteries used in consumer electronics and defense applications. One of carbon’s derivatives, graphene, is particularly useful due to its flexibility, resistance and strength.
“As we become a more electrified society — using more batteries — we’re going to need more carbon,” he said. “In what form? Graphite and graphene. A strand of graphene the thickness of a human hair can lift a grand piano. It’s 200 times stronger than steel.”
Despite graphene’s potential, Laumb said, its high cost remains a major barrier to widespread application.
Laumb also said increasing domestic output of rare earth elements will be a boon to national security.
“Think about an F-22 Raptor – 800 pounds of rare earths are used in one airplane,” he said. “Where do those come from right now? China. I don’t want to get the parts for our airplanes from China, do you?”
“I see North Dakota leading the world in making these products more sustainable — better, stronger and faster,” Laumb added. “Why? Because we don’t shy away from opportunity.”
Enhanced oil recovery
Already the third largest oil-producing state behind Texas and New Mexico, North Dakota’s oil fields hold even more potential due to enhanced oil recovery (EOR).
North Dakota’s oil fields come in two forms — conventional and non-conventional — the latter of which comprises the Bakken Formation. The difference in fields lies in the construction of oil wells, with the Bakken’s wells stretching as deep as three miles and using hydraulic fracturing or “fracking” technology.
EOR increases output by injecting gases into wells. These gases are typically carbon dioxide, but sometimes involve a mixture of methane, ethane and propane, altering the physical properties of oil to allow it to flow more freely.
James Sorensen, director for subsurface research and development at the EERC, said there is the potential to extract upwards of a billion additional barrels of oil from conventional fields in North Dakota. And the prospects in the Bakken are even more promising, he said.
“We believe there’s about 3-7 billion barrels of oil that could be had from applying EOR in the Bakken,” he said. “The way we’re going to achieve those numbers is to innovate, make things more efficient and economical.”
Gorecki added that increased oil production will bring in more tax revenue, as “half of the state’s tax revenue comes from the extraction and production tax of producing Bakken crude” — and those dollars pay for many of the state’s public services and infrastructure projects.
A do not use water advisory issued by the City of Finley, North Dakota. April 2026.
FINLEY, N.D. (KFGO) – The city of Finley, North Dakota has been without potable water since Friday due to a suspected water main leak. Steele County Emergency Management says it is unclear how long it will take to restore water services in the city.
The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality says the available water in Finley has been deemed unusable for drinking, cooking, bathing and washing dishes or laundry.
The water system will need to be flushed and samples that say the water is safe will need to be collected for the water advisory to be lifted.
Richard D. “Rick” Langowski, age 78 of Minto, North Dakota passed away on Thursday, April 16, 2026 at his home in Minto.
Rick was born March 10, 1948 in Grafton, North Dakota, the son of the late Julian and Catherine (Wysocki) Langowski. In 1967, he volunteered for the military bringing him to Germany as a Motor Sargent. After an Honorable Discharge he took a job at the International Airport in Grand Forks, ND. His duties included: refueling planes and jets as well as maintaining the grounds. He had the opportunity to meet the famous singer Mr. James Brown.
Rick was united in marriage to Alice Odegard on June 17, 1982 in Minto, North Dakota. The family made their home in Minto where they raised Jason and Angela. Rick was very proud of his children and loved them more than anything. He told everyone and bragged about the children he raised. He cherished his grandchildren and loved to be present in every aspect of their lives.
His career changed to semi driving where he drove for Cenex Transportation for four years and ten years for Valley Transports. His love for the open road directed him into the used car business. He opened Minto Auto Sales and Services in 1987, proudly operating for 39 years. He had the privilege to meet many people and travel to many places. He enjoyed riding his many Harley Davidson Motorcycles. In 2025, he sold the business to his longtime mechanic and friend, Aaron Anderson. In Rick’s opinion, “Minto Auto is one of the best mechanical shops in the area.”
He was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Minto, ND. He loved hunting with Jason, watching sports, especially the Yankees and Twins. In 2017, Rick was able to enjoy a father/son trip of a lifetime to Alaska. He thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of the trip and thought was the best time of his life.
Rick is survived by his children: Jason Odegard, Reynolds, ND; Angela (Nick) Eppert, Goshen, IN; grandchildren: Ashlyn, Kaia, Annika, Boden and Caelan; sisters: Carol King, Grand Forks, ND; Connie Jones, Argyle, MN; seven nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his very close friend and confidant, Yvette Estep, Grafton, ND. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings: Robert and Ronald.
Rick’s family would like to extend a very special thank you to Yvette Estep, an employee of Rick’s, affectionately known as “hotrod.” She was there for Rick, along with Aaron for doctor’s appointments, treatments and helped comfort him throughout his battle. Jason and Angela will be forever indebted to her and consider her family.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, April 22, 2026 at 10:30 A.M. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Minto. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Minto, ND. Military Rites will be provided by the Minto American Legion Post and the North Dakota National Guard Honor Guard.
or send flowers to the family in memory of Richard D. Langowski, please visit our
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By Nehal Malik
Tesla is heading to court to challenge one of the final frontiers of the traditional car dealership model. The automaker has officially filed a lawsuit against the state of North Dakota, seeking the right to open its first two showrooms and service centers in Bismarck and Fargo.
For years, North Dakota law has required vehicle manufacturers to sell their products through independent, third-party franchised dealerships. Tesla, which famously avoids the middleman to sell directly to consumers, argues that these decades-old rules are an unnecessary barrier. According to a report by the Minot Daily News, the case is now in the hands of District Judge Bonnie Storbakken.
A Battle Over Definitions
The core of Tesla’s legal argument relies on a specific reading of state law. Currently, North Dakota defines a “manufacturer” as a person who assembles or imports a vehicle and sells it to dealers in the state for resale. Tesla argues that because it sells directly to its customers and does not use third-party dealers at all, it technically doesn’t fall under that legal definition.
“Tesla just wants to be able to sell its vehicles in North Dakota, and not force customers who would wish to purchase a Tesla vehicle to have to drive to Minnesota or another state to do it,” said Ari Holtzblatt, one of Tesla’s attorneys. Currently, the more than 800 Tesla owners in North Dakota have to leave the state just to take delivery of their cars or receive first-party service.
The state’s Assistant Attorney General, Michael Pitcher, isn’t buying it. He argued during a recent hearing that “Tesla can operate in North Dakota the same way that every other manufacturer does. They can appoint dealers, they can enter into franchise agreements, and they can sell through that.” From the state’s perspective, the law isn’t stopping Tesla from doing business; it’s just regulating how the company’s cars get into owners’ hands.
Challenging the Franchise Model
Tesla has a long history of fighting these “protectionist” franchise laws across the U.S. In many cases, Tesla’s legal victories have paved the way for other EV startups like Rivian and Lucid to secure their own direct-sales exceptions. In some of the more restrictive states, Tesla has even found innovative workarounds by partnering with Native American tribes to open stores on sovereign tribal land.
The direct-to-consumer model is vital for Tesla because it allows the company to control the entire customer experience and maintain higher margins by cutting out dealer markups. For the customer, this often translates to a more transparent buying process without the high-pressure sales tactics or hidden fees associated with traditional dealerships.
The Road Ahead for North Dakota
North Dakota has historically lagged behind in EV infrastructure, though the state is slowly catching up with a growing number of Supercharger locations and charging ports along the I-94 corridor. Tesla’s attempt to establish a physical presence in the state is a clear sign that the company sees untapped potential in the region.
If the court rules in Tesla’s favor, it won’t mean instant licenses, but it will give the company the green light to reapply with the Department of Transportation. As the automotive world shifts toward an electric future, these legal battles in North Dakota will likely determine how much choice consumers actually have when it comes to how they buy their next car.
By Nehal Malik
Tesla is gearing up for its first major financial check-in of the year. The company has officially scheduled its Q1 2026 earnings call for after the bell on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. Ahead of the event, Tesla has shared its company-compiled earnings consensus for the quarter, which aggregates estimates from 20 top sell-side analysts, including Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and Wedbush.
According to the data, analysts are expecting average total revenues of approximately $21.4 billion for the quarter. On the profitability side, the consensus for GAAP Earnings Per Share (EPS) sits at $0.16, with an adjusted non-GAAP figure of $0.33. While the company noted it “does not endorse any information, recommendations or conclusions made by the analysts,” these numbers provide a clear benchmark for what Wall Street expects from Elon Musk and his team.
Setting the Stage for Q1 Results
This earnings report follows a quarter in which Tesla’s delivery numbers came in slightly below analyst projections. The company delivered 358,023 vehicles, just missing the initial analyst consensus of 365,645. Even with the slight miss, deliveries grew about 6.3% compared to the first quarter of last year.
To put these new earnings estimates in perspective, we can look back at Q1 2025. In that first quarter of last year, Tesla reported an adjusted EPS of $0.27 and revenue of $19.34 billion. While the Q1 estimates show a healthy gain in earnings that aligns with the year-over-year growth in deliveries, the focus during the call will likely be on margins and future growth rather than just the raw revenue numbers.
A Roadmap Beyond the Model S and X
The Q&A session with executives is expected to be one of the most eventful in years, especially since Model S and Model X production has officially ended. Tesla is currently offering its final Signature Edition units as a tribute to its flagship legacy, leaving a “premium-shaped” hole in the lineup that many investors hope will be filled by a new high-end SUV (CyberSUV, anyone?) or the long-awaited next-gen Roadster.
We also expect significant updates on Tesla’s AI and robotics divisions. Musk recently confirmed that the AI5 chip design is complete, with work already beginning on AI6 and Dojo 3. Additionally, the Cybercab robotaxi is slated to enter mass production this month, and investors will be looking for a firm timeline on the first unsupervised autonomous rides.
What to Watch For
Beyond the balance sheet, the call will likely touch on the Optimus humanoid robot. Tesla is rumored to be close to unveiling a production-ready prototype later this year, and any mention of “Optimus in the factory” will surely move the needle.
As Tesla transitions from a traditional car manufacturer to an AI and robotics powerhouse, this earnings call will serve as a pulse check for that transformation. We’ll be covering the call on April 22 to see if Tesla can beat expectations and provide a clear vision for its hardware-heavy roadmap through 2027.
By Nehal Malik
Tesla’s Spring 2026 Software Update (version 2026.14 and later) is officially here, and while the “flashy” features like the new “Hey Grok” wake word are getting most of the attention, the vehicle’s user interface is also getting a massive glow-up. Tesla has updated the parked vehicle visualizations, bringing improved vehicle models to the center touchscreen.
Installed on 0.9% of fleet
Last updated: Apr 18, 2:05 pm UTC
The new look was first showcased by Tesla enthusiast @sergiumogan on X, who posted a direct comparison between the old and new interfaces. The difference is immediately apparent, with improved lighting and the car model and the surrounding scene looking significantly more realistic.
First Before & After look at Tesla’s v2026.14.1 Spring Update. Parked vehicle visualisation comparison (white color ).#teslaupdate #tesla pic.twitter.com/qZwyhiPf3i
— Sergiu Mogan (@sergiumogan) April 17, 2026
Higher Fidelity via Unreal Engine
The jump in quality is thanks to Tesla’s integration of Unreal Engine into its software stack. This technology was previously used on the flagship Model S and Model X, but it is now trickling down to the rest of the fleet. The car model itself is higher quality, with improved lighting effects that make reflections on the paint and glass far more noticeable.
The environment around the car has also been completely redesigned. Instead of a simple gray void, the “park scene” now features a professional, studio-like atmosphere. There is a cool fog-like effect over the windscreen, with spotlight-style lighting shining down on the car, creating a sense of depth that was missing in previous versions. This level of polish makes the car feel like a premium piece of tech even when it is just sitting in your garage.
Hardware Requirements and Compatibility
Currently, this high-fidelity visualization is only showing up for the new “Highland” Model 3 (2024+) and the 2025+ Model Y (Juniper). However, there are plenty of reasons for owners of older vehicles to be optimistic. This feature will likely become available for some other models in a future update, such as the Cybertruck, roughly 2022+ Model 3, and 2022+ Model Y, provided they are equipped with the AMD Ryzen-powered MCU 3 infotainment unit.
The processing power required for these lighting effects and high-res textures means that older Intel Atom-based cars (MCU 2) will likely be left out of this specific visual upgrade. While this might not be the most “exciting” functional feature, it proves that Tesla is working on all aspects of the user experience. The company isn’t just pushing its self-driving software to the limits; it is making sure the car looks and feels modern every time you step inside.
It’s not just the parked screen; these improved models are also used on the vehicle visualizations.
A Strong Start to the Spring Update
The Spring 2026 Software Update has delivered on its promises in spades. Between interactive maps for the rear screen and the rebranding of Dog Mode to Pet Mode, not to mention a brand new Self-Driving App that brings subscriptions, tutorials, and usage stats under one umbrella, Tesla is keeping its fleet feeling fresh.
As the Spring Update continues to roll out to more owners globally, we expect to see even more hidden UI tweaks discovered. Tesla has successfully turned its cars into evolving platforms where a simple over-the-air update can make your three-year-old vehicle feel like a brand-new model.
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