Duties and Studies
Develop a comprehensive statewide energy policy that supports the long-term development of the energy opportunities in the state and to engage industry stakeholders to develop a regulatory environment that allows for responsible growth while resolving conflicts and developing synergy between energy and agriculture programs. (NDCC § 54‑35‑18)
Study the impact of a comprehensive energy policy for the state and the development of each facet of the energy industry from the obtaining of the raw natural resource to the sale of the final product in this state, other states, and other countries. (NDCC § 54-35-18)
(1579 § 1) Study the impact of large energy consumers, including data centers, on the electrical grid of the state, regulatory structure, and economic development. The study must include an evaluation of the electrical grid reliability and infrastructure requirements within the state, including the capacity of the electrical grid; necessary upgrades to accommodate large energy consumers; the cost of necessary upgrades to accommodate large energy consumers; how the cost of necessary upgrades to accommodate large energy consumers are allocated; effects of congestion on the electrical grid caused by increased development; best practices for integrating high-demand users while maintaining reliability for all ratepayers; regulatory consistency throughout the state, including an assessment of the manner in which state and local laws and regulations impact large energy consumers; whether the certificate of public convenience and necessity process is appropriate for private-sector end users; whether regulatory inconsistencies exist between investor-owned utilities, rural electric cooperatives, municipal power providers, and independent power producers; economic impacts affecting the energy industry of the state, including an assessment of job creation, tax revenue generation, and long-term investment trends tied to data center development and other large energy consumers; market dynamics of the local and national energy industry, including the role of demand-side management, local versus regional energy market participation, and the ability of large consumers to support grid stability through off-peak consumption or other grid-supportive practices; costs and impacts of all regulated and exempted public utilities, including best reporting practices; and regulatory and exemption criteria relating to load size, system integration, application processes, impacts to consumers and access to the regional grid systems, electrical generation sources, the feasibility of colocated backup generators at various facilities, and generation sources, including legacy electric generation units. The study must include input from representatives of data center operators, and other large energy consumers operating or considering investment in the state; investor-owned utilities, rural electric cooperatives, municipal power providers, and independent power producers; the Public Service Commission; the Lignite Energy Council; the North Dakota Transmission Authority; regional transmission organizations; the Petroleum Council; and any other relevant state or federal agency.
(2360 § 1) Consider studying the feasibility of developing geothermal energy in the state. The study must include an evaluation of the state's geology and the feasibility of resource exploration and production of geothermal energy in the state; support opportunities for startup geothermal companies, including fostering innovation and promoting economic growth within the state's energy sector; the application of geothermal energy to nonproductive oil and gas wells to extend the life of the well through the use of a complementary energy extraction method; and other opportunities to advance geothermal energy opportunities in the state.
Reports
Receive at least one report from the State Energy Research Center during the 2025-26 interim regarding the status and results of its salt cavern underground energy storage and research project. (2025 Senate Bill No. 2014 § 27)
Receive a report from the Agriculture Commissioner by June 1 of each even-numbered year regarding the services provided under the postproduction royalty oversight program. (NDCC § 4.1-01-26)
Receive an annual report from the State Energy Research Center on all research activities and accomplishments. (NDCC § 15‑11‑40)
Receive a biennial written report from the North Dakota Transmission Authority on its activities. (NDCC § 17-05-13(1))
Receive an annual written report from the North Dakota Transmission Authority on the status of the resilience of the electric grid. (NDCC § 17-05-13(2))
Receive a report from the Industrial Commission in December 2014 and every 4 years thereafter discussing whether the amount in the carbon dioxide storage facility trust fund and fees being paid into the fund are sufficient to satisfy the fund's objectives. (NDCC § 38-22-15)
Receive a biennial report from the High-Level Radioactive Waste Advisory Council. (NDCC § 38-23-08)
Receive a biennial report from the North Dakota Pipeline Authority on its activities. (NDCC § 54-17.7-13)
Receive a biennial report from the Clean Sustainable Energy Authority regarding the authority's activities and the financial impact on state revenue and the state's economy of the programs administered by the authority. (NDCC § 54‑63.1‑04)
Receive an annual report from the operator of a coal conversion facility that receives a carbon dioxide capture credit for certain coal conversion facilities regarding the facility's carbon dioxide capture project. (NDCC § 57-60-02.1)
