North Dakota
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes
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Randy Burckhard, right, receives the Commander’s Award for Public Service from Gen. S.L. Davis, left, commander of Air Force Global Strike Command and commander of Air Forces Strategic-Air, U.S. Strategic Command. The award was presented Tuesday, April 28, at the 2026 North Dakota Nuclear Triad Symposium in Minot. Photo from Minot Area Chamber EDC.
Randy Burckhard of Minot was caught by surprise when he was called to the stage to accept an award at the 2026 North Dakota Nuclear Triad Symposium held in Minot Tuesday, April 28.
Gen. S.L. Davis, commander of Air Force Global Strike Command and commander of Air Forces Strategic-Air, U.S. Strategic Command, presented Burckhard with the Commander’s Award for Public Service.
The award is in recognition of Burckhard’s distinguished service as an outstanding Air Force advocate representing Minot and surrounding areas, as part of the Air Force Global Strike Command Civic Leader Program, from Jan. 1, 2010-December 31, 2025.
“Randy has been a great supporter. He was an honorary commander when I was a wing commander (at Minot AFB from June 2011-June 2012). He became an Air Force Global Strike Civic Leader,” Davis said.
He said Burckhard recently asked to be moved to emeritus status but will continue to serve as a mentor for his replacement with the program.
Burckhard said it has been an honor and pleasure for him to serve and gave his appreciation for the award.
Maj. Thomas Barger, chief of Public Affairs at Minot Air Force Base, read the citation accompanying the award to symposium participants.
The citation states that during his tenure in the Air Force Global Strike Command Civic Leader Program, Burckhard represented the communities surrounding Minot AFB and supported the 36,000 airmen and families in Air Force Global Strike Command.
The citation also noted he provided vital advocacy for Spouse Licensure, the Interstate Compact for students, and tax exemptions for military members and retirees in North Dakota.
Burckhard, a state senator for 16 years, will retire at the conclusion of his term in late November.
The citation said that additionally, he advocated for the B-21, Sentinel and MH-139 programs through both his role on the Civic Leader Program, and as a leader with Task Force 21, whose Nuclear Triad Symposiums have served as a vital platform for both education and advocacy for the nuclear mission.
He routinely advised command senior leaders during annual commander’s conferences on matters affecting community partners, and highlighted community issues key to the Command’s mission. He also enhanced public awareness and support for Global Strike issues through engagements with his local, regional, state and national contacts.
“The distinctive accomplishments of Mr. Burckhard reflect great credit upon himself, Air Force Global Strike Command and the United States Air Force,” the citation concludes.
North Dakota
Armstrong directs flags to be flown at half-staff Friday in honor and remembrance of Rep. Liz Conmy
Conmy died Saturday, April 25, at age 67, along with her partner, Joe Cass, in a plane crash in Minnesota. Conmy had represented District 11 in the North Dakota House of Representatives since 2022.
A celebration of life service for Conmy will be held from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday at RiverHaven Events Center, 700 1st Ave. N., Moorhead, Minnesota.
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NDSU gets a reality check on draft and transfer portal.
North Dakota State’s draft success continued this year, and there could be more to come in 2027.
While NDSU boasts 16 draft picks since 2004 as a Division I program, the Bison faced sobering news regarding the final draft numbers this year amid a move up to the FBS. Only 13 Group of Six players had their names called compared to 239 players from the Power Four conferences, which college football analyst Chris Hummer broke down.
NDSU had two picks this year, the most of any Mountain West Conference team. The FCS, where the Bison just left, only had four overall — counting quarterback Cole Payton and wide receiver Bryce Lance from NDSU.
“It’s yet another example of the talent drain for the G6 and FCS due to the transfer portal,” Hummer wrote via X.
NDSU moving to the FBS may not slow down losing players in the transfer portal. Just ask around the Mountain West, where 138 players have departed since late 2025.
That most notably included former UNLV quarterback Anthony Colandrea, who transferred to Nebraska. NDSU lost six starters, and the majority went to Power Four schools.
Former Bison players lost include Colorado defensive end Toby Anene, Vanderbilt left tackle Beau Johnson, Florida State long snapper Caleb Bowers, Michigan State center Trent Farley and Iowa kicker Eli Ozick. Bigger competition and NIL money continue to be the draw for Power Four teams, and NDSU may not become an exception among G6 teams losing players.
How the Top G6 Teams Fared With The Transfer Portal
Former Bison FCS rival and College Football Playoff participant James Madison, one of the top G6 teams around, lost more than 11 starters this year.
Many of the JMU Players, except for Colorado edge Immanuel Ezeogu, transferred to UCLA, following former Dukes head coach Bob Chesney to Los Angeles. That’s not the first time JMU has experienced an exodus of players with a head coach. It happened with Curt Cignetti when he left JMU for Indiana, and he built a national championship team that had numerous former Dukes standouts.
Tulane, also a G6 CFP participant, lost 26 players. That included major key players such as Indiana wide receiver Shazz Preston, Tennessee running back Javin Gordon and Louisville tight end Justyn Reid.
Boise State, last year’s Mountain West champion and a 2024 CFP entrant, lost numerous key players from the 2025 team. That includes LSU safety Ty Benefield and Arkansas wide receiver Chris Marshall.
NDSU Has Gained in Transfer Portal
While the exodus of G6 players doesn’t look favorable, the Bison have gained three Power Four players since the FBS move.
Former Arizona wide receiver Jeremiah Patterson and former West Virginia wideout Jordan McCants both joined the team in the past month. Most recently, the Bison landed former Notre Dame cornerback Chance Tucker.
That’s not entirely new for the Bison, which even landed Power Four quarterbacks with starting experience during the FCS dynasty. Former Iowa State quarterback Zeb Noland and former Virginia Tech quarterback Quincy Patterson II both started games for the Bison after transferring. However, neither reached the level of success as the five former home-grown starters who landed in the NFL draft over the past decade.
Matthew Davis covers the NFL, WNBA and college sports for Heavy.com. As a contributing writer to the StarTribune, he has also covered Minnesota prep sports since 2016. More about Matthew Davis
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