North Dakota
Otter Tail Power plans to keep its stake in North Dakota’s coal-burning Coyote Station for now
FARGO — Otter Tail Energy Co. has reversed an earlier choice to cease drawing electrical energy from the coal-fired Coyote Station close to Beulah, North Dakota, in mild of uncertainties about its potential to offer energy throughout peak demand intervals.
The choice is contingent on Otter Tail not having to make main capital investments — resembling having to fulfill extra stringent environmental necessities — to maintain Coyote Station operating.
Otter Tail Energy, based mostly in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, had introduced in 2021 that it deliberate to finish its use of Coyote Station on the finish of 2028.
However a wide range of modifications since then, together with uncertainty in its capability commitments to the Midwest energy grid throughout peak instances, have prompted Otter Tail Energy to rethink its plans, Nate Jensen, the utility’s supervisor of useful resource planning stated Friday, April 7.
“We’re now saying we need to proceed on Coyote except there’s a giant, non-routine capital expense requirement,” he stated.
One instance of a serious capital funding is that if federal environmental regulators had been to drive Coyote Station to fulfill extra stringent regional haze necessities. If that had been to occur, Otter Tail Energy might discover different sources of electrical energy to maintain offering dependable and inexpensive energy, Jensen stated.
One other complication is that the Midwest Impartial System Operator (MISO), which manages the Midwest energy grid, modified the way in which it determines utilities’ capability necessities to offer energy to fulfill peak calls for, he stated.
“Our capability elevated considerably with the modifications in these guidelines,” Jensen stated.
Sarcastically, the regional grid’s capability to fulfill peak demand is a priority as a result of many utilities are shifting from coal crops to renewable vitality sources resembling wind and solar energy, he stated.
Utilities should present available “dispatch-able” energy to fulfill reliability necessities, which prompted MISO to revise the capability necessities utilities should meet. “That’s the largest change proper now,” he stated.
“We have to hold the lights on,” Jensen stated. “We need to hold our prospects’ payments inexpensive. We need to ensure we don’t get forward of ourselves.”
Additionally, Otter Tail Energy has added giant business prospects, together with a cryptocurrency and blockchain data-processing heart in Jamestown operated by Utilized Digital Corp., which went totally on-line in 2022 and now could be the utility’s second-largest buyer.
“There are different prospects which can be our territory that we have to take into account in our useful resource wants,” Jensen stated.
Coyote Station, which is owned by a partnership of a number of utilities, offers Otter Tail Energy with a median of 1 million megawatt hours of electrical energy yearly, which is about 16% of the utility’s whole technology, Jensen stated.
In 2021, when Otter Tail determined to withdraw from Coyote Station by 2028, the utility had surplus capability and pure gasoline was low-cost. Pure gasoline costs elevated after Russia invaded Ukraine.
Thus, confronted with larger uncertainty on a wide range of fronts, Otter Tail Energy determined it ought to stay with Coyote Station.
“It’s a cautious pause on our half,” Jensen stated. “We don’t need to do away with this useful resource but till we have now a greater understanding of all of the modifications which can be occurring.”
Otter Tail Energy hasn’t determined how lengthy it’s going to proceed to make use of Coyote Station.
“We’re not committing to any date proper now,” Jensen stated. “We will proceed to research this.”
Coyote Station, which began operations in 1981, has a producing capability of 424 megawatts and burns about 2.5 million tons of lignite coal yearly provided by close by Coyote Creek Mine. Otter Tail Energy owns 35% of the plant, Northern Municipal Energy Company owns 30%, Montana-Dakota Utilities owns 25% and NorthWest Power owns 10%.
Federal information present that Coyote Station is the largest emitter of nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide amongst coal crops in North Dakota and Minnesota.
Patrick Springer first joined The Discussion board in 1985. He covers a variety of topics together with well being care, vitality and inhabitants tendencies. Electronic mail handle: pspringer@forumcomm.com
Telephone: 701-367-5294
NORTH DAKOTA (KXNET) — The hundred-day span between Memorial Day and Labor Day is marked as the most deadly period on the road here in North Dakota.
According to the North Dakota Department of Transportation’s 2022 crash summary report, fatal crashes are twice as likely during this time.
That’s why North Dakota leaders are urging drivers to not fall into a “false sense of security” during the bright and cheery days of summer.
According to Travel and Leisure, North Dakota has been marked as the state with the most reckless drivers.
There’s a range of reasons for this from drunk driving to speeding. But another reason is that when the snow clears, North Dakota drivers are eager to get out more and drive faster than they would in the snow, according to the North Dakota Department of Transportation’s Highway Safety Division director.
And because North Dakota has some of the lowest citation fees in the nation, ranging from $5 to $100, the Highway Patrol’s safety and education officer says that drivers aren’t given enough deterrents to drive safely.
However, with growing concerns about safety, there could be talk of increasing citation amounts in coming legislative sessions.
BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) – Aquatic nuisance species are nonnative plants, animals and pathogens that can threaten our aquatic resources. The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is taking proactive measures to stop the spread of ANS into our waterbodies by conducting watercraft inspections at popular boat ramps statewide.
“We got watercraft inspectors that are working throughout this summer around the state of North Dakota to check boats, to educate boat owners to do the right things at ramps, make sure boats are all clean, drain, dry before recreating here,” said Ben Holen, NDGF Aquatic Nuisance Species Coordinator.
What can anglers or watercraft recreationists expect when they come to an ANS inspection?
“A watercraft inspector will ask a few questions, only takes a couple minutes, and then they look at the hull of the boat. They’re looking at the engine area, looking at the anchor and also looking at all drain compartments, making sure all water is out of that watercraft. Everything is drained. Everything is cleaned, drained, dry before you get on that water body,” said Holen.
These watercraft inspections are voluntary and most people are cooperative and thankful the Game and Fish Department is spearheading efforts to stop the spread of ANS.
“We see a lot of our fishermen are really educated about aquatic nuisance species. They’re pulling their plugs every time, removing vegetation, doing the right things. Occasionally there are slip-ups, but that’s why our inspectors are out here making sure that those boats are good to go,” said Holen.
It’s not only fishing boats that are inspected, it’s all watercraft.
“So whether you’re a jet skier, a kayak, a canoer, a wakeboarder, you all play a part in curbing the spread of aquatic nuisance species in North Dakota,” said Holen.
The purpose of these inspections is to educate the public so they can help curb the spread of ANS.
“We can’t be at every ramp, every single circumstance, so hopefully some of these recreationists can take the tools that they learn from watercraft inspectors and apply them on their own when they’re out there recreating on their own and do a self-inspection,” said Holen.
The Game and Fish Department is committed to safeguarding our natural resources for future generations to enjoy.
“So we really, really like to keep it that way and keep these resources pristine for a long time,” said Holen.
For more information on Aquatic Nuisance Species, visit gf.nd.gov
Copyright 2024 KFYR. All rights reserved.
STACKER — The typically busy summer driving season tends to lead to more demand for gasoline and, in turn, higher prices at the pump. But that hasn’t happened this summer, and analysts aren’t sure of the reason.
“[Drivers] appear to be staying off the road, and the recent scorching heat is possibly to blame. Maybe things will pick up soon,” AAA spokesperson Andrew Gross said in a statement Thursday, adding that prices could dip even lower.
Prices are several cents above their levels a month ago, but a gallon of gas is still cheaper than it was this same time last summer. The U.S. has been producing a large amount of gasoline to bolster domestic supply, another factor that can push prices downward. The total amount of gasoline in the U.S. supply is slightly above the five-year average, according to Energy Information Administration data.
Stacker compiled statistics on gas prices in North Dakota. Gas prices are as of July 19.
North Dakota by the numbers
– Gas current price: $3.39
– Week change: $0.00 (0.0%)
– Year change: -$0.08 (-2.3%)
– Historical expensive gas price: $4.80 (6/15/22)
– Diesel current price: $3.65
– Week change: -$0.01 (-0.2%)
– Year change: -$0.13 (-3.3%)
– Historical expensive diesel price: $5.62 (6/25/22)
Metros with most expensive gas in North Dakota
#1. Minot: $3.48
#2. Bismarck: $3.48
#3. Grand Forks (ND only): $3.27
#4. Fargo-Moorhead (ND only): $3.24
States with the most expensive gas
#1. California: $4.72
#2. Hawaii: $4.70
#3. Washington: $4.27
States with the least expensive gas
#1. Mississippi: $3.00
#2. Louisiana: $3.10
#3. Texas: $3.12
This article originally appeared on Stacker, and was produced and distributed through a partnership with Stacker Studio. It has been republished pursuant to a CC by NC 4.0 License.
Khano Smith's Rhode Island Win Again – Bernews
South Carolina Recruiting – Offensive Overview and Update on 2025 Class
Matters of the State: Sen. Rounds on Trump, Secret Service; Another South Dakota scandal
Former Tennessee Titans top pick shockingly named a cut candidate | Sporting News
Beryl Is Long Gone, but Texas Toll Is Still Rising
See it: Tesla crashes into Columbus convention center at 70 mph
Colorado Rockies game no. 116 thread: Zac Gallen vs José Ureña
Fox News Politics: Georgia the whole day through
Death of missing Oregon girl found in stream ruled homicide
At least 2 dead as tornadoes hit Alabama, damage homes across Southeast
Trump blows past Biden in June fundraising race, with July numbers expected to be worse for Democrats
Ukraine and Russia fire dozens of drones at each other
The FDA misses its deadline again to propose a ban on formaldehyde in hair products
Trump tells Jesse Watters that he was not warned about gunman, despite reports
‘Torn up bodies’: Israel intensifies bombing campaign in Gaza
-
News1 week agoVideo: Biden ‘Is a Fighter,’ Harris Says in North Carolina
-
Politics1 week agoTwo key states to see massive GOP voter registration operation
-
Movie Reviews1 week agoFilm Review: Fly Me to the Moon – SLUG Magazine
-
World1 week agoJapan, Germany agree to boost security cooperation in Pacific
-
Politics1 week agoGOP challenger calls on Ohio Dem Sherrod Brown to 'fess up' with what he knew about Biden's condition
-
World1 week agoKenya’s Ruto dismisses almost entire cabinet after nationwide protests
-
Politics1 week agoBiden says 'anyway' at least 9 times while trailing off in press conference
-
Politics1 week agoIs it too late for DNC delegates to abandon Biden? A look at the Democrats' nomination process