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Gas prices in Grand Forks region expected to increase over Memorial Day weekend

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Gas prices in Grand Forks region expected to increase over Memorial Day weekend


GRAND FORKS — Increasing demand over Memorial Day weekend is expected to bring spikes in gas prices throughout the region.

While gas prices in North Dakota and Minnesota remain stable at around $3, increased traffic will cause travelers to pay more at the pump, according to Skyler McKinley, AAA’s regional director of public affairs in North Dakota, Minnesota and Colorado. Memorial Day, which occurs on the last Monday of May, falls on May 27 this year.

“For motorists, prices north of $3 are frustrating,” he said. “They are always frustrating; that’s when you start changing your budget.”

According to the average gas prices listed by AAA

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, the average gas price in Grand Forks on Thursday, May 23, was $3.22, up 4 cents from a month ago and down roughly 13 cents from the same day last year. This is lower than the national average, which was sitting at $3.61, up 7 cents from the previous year.

“We’re going to see robust demand, so I think we’ll still be north of $3 throughout the summer,” McKinley said. “But in that case, we’re victims of our own success, because people want to travel and demand drives prices up.”

Over Memorial Day weekend, McKinley said the price of gas may spike at certain gas stations, particularly those around interstates because of the increase in travelers. This spike is expected to occur over the weekend and usually returns to normal by Tuesday.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if at some of those service stations you’re paying $3.50, $3.55, $3.60,” he said.

Conversely, gas stations in neighborhoods won’t experience such price spikes and will likely maintain competitive pricing, according to McKinley.

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Austin Kirchoffner, manager at the Amherst Oil gas station on South Washington Street and 8th Avenue South, said an increase is expected over Memorial Day weekend, but gas prices have otherwise been fairly stable.

“It is what it is, people are going to complain,” he said. “But right now has been a solid, solid time for gas.”

According to Kirchoffner, the gas station has had to change its price for gas only about five times since Jan. 1.

“That’s pretty damn good for what we’ve been going through,” he said.

According to McKinley, the price of gas has been stable because the price of crude oil, which comprises the majority of what people put in their gas tanks, has also been fairly stable. The price of crude oil is directly affected by international events.

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“I was frankly anticipating a bit of a spike when we saw that the president of Iran died in a helicopter crash,” he said. “We didn’t see that. So, for now, it looks like supply is fairly robust and stable and demand is increasing.”

Tammy Kaiser, a Grand Forks resident, said she would be traveling to Bemidji over Memorial Day weekend, but that the price of gas wouldn’t affect her ability to do so.

“I wish they would come down,” she said. “Because, you know, with the economy, with the gas, or the prices of food and gas, it’s making people not be able to do that traveling and see family and friends.”

Kaiser, who was fueling her SUV at the Simonson Station Store on South Washington Street, where gas was priced at $3.30 per gallon on Thursday, said it seemed like prices were coming down.

“Well, you know what, it’s been going up and down this last month, it seems,” she said. “I think it’s getting a little bit better. Me, personally, I think it is.”

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According to McKinley, decreasing gas prices aren’t necessarily a good thing.

“I think we all want to see cheaper gas prices,” he said. “When gas prices are very cheap, they tend to be an indicator of something wrong with the economy because demand has dried up.”





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Why Windmill Blades May No Longer Land In North Dakota Landfills

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Why Windmill Blades May No Longer Land In North Dakota Landfills


North Dakota stands to benefit significantly from recent advances in windmill blade recycling, as it embraces an “All of the Above” energy status.

As a prominent wind energy producer, handling the disposal of end-of-life turbine blades has become a top priority.

Because of their complicated composition, these gigantic blades, which may be over 50 meters long, were traditionally meant for landfills. However, new recycling methods are changing the story, bringing economic and environmental benefits to North Dakota.

Researchers and businesses are developing innovative methods for breaking down and repurposing these long-lasting materials. One of the most promising ways is mechanical recycling, which involves cutting blades into little pieces and grinding them into fine particles.

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These particles can then be used as reinforcement in concrete or asphalt, increasing the strength and durability of the products while decreasing waste. This approach might greatly aid North Dakota’s infrastructure projects by delivering low-cost materials for road building and repair.

Another novel approach is thermal recycling, which uses high temperatures to degrade composite materials into reusable fibers and resins. This procedure not only reduces landfill use, but it also recovers important raw materials, helping to create a circular economy.

 

Additionally, chemical recycling is gaining popularity. This method employs solvents to dissolve the glue that holds the fiberglass together, allowing both the fiberglass and the resin to be extracted for other applications.

Implementing these strategies in North Dakota could lead to new business possibilities and jobs in the recycling and manufacturing industries.

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North Dakota might play a vital role in implementing and profiting from these technologies.

Businesses are investing in collaborations and pilot programs to scale up recycling processes, with the goal of achieving zero waste in the wind sector by 2040. These improvements are consistent with North Dakota’s aims of promoting economic development and becoming a net-zero carbon state.

As wind energy grows, the successful recycling of windmill blades is a vital step toward reaching sustainability goals.

By converting garbage into resources, North Dakota not only solves environmental concerns but also prepares the way for a more resilient and environmentally sustainable future.

The partnership between academics, manufacturers, and politicians demonstrates the shared commitment to transforming obstacles into opportunities, ensuring that renewable energy remains a green and circular option for future generations.

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This proactive strategy has the potential to position North Dakota as a pioneer in sustainable energy techniques included in it’s “All of the Above” approach.

With the technology coming around to recycle and repurpose wind turbines, the only thing keeping North Dakota from creating more jobs and making our state and nation more energy independent is bias.

Forgotten 2000s Country Songs: 40 Great Country Hits, 2000-2009

Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes

 





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Events in Bismarck show support towards former President Trump

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Events in Bismarck show support towards former President Trump


BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) – Former President Donald Trump’s supporters showed their loyalty in a series of events around Bismarck on Saturday.

The events started with a Trump Rally on the North Dakota State Capitol grounds, featuring guest speakers showing their support through their speeches. The rally also had refreshments.

The second event was hosted at the Fox Island Boat Ramp, where former President Trump’s supporters could get together and spend a day on their boats, waving their flags.

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State officials monitoring oil-production spills in northwest North Dakota

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State officials monitoring oil-production spills in northwest North Dakota


(Bismarck, ND)  —  State regulators continue to monitor a pair of oil spills reported last week in northwest North Dakota.  

Sources with the North Dakota Oil and Gas Division say little under 1,250 barrels of oil were released due to overflow near Johnson’s Corner in McKenzie County on Tuesday.  

Contents of the spill reportedly were recovered.  

Sometime later, 300 barrels of water tainted during oil and gas-extraction efforts also were released.  

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Authorities say that spill was cleaned up sometime later.  

State inspectors continue to monitor both sites.



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