News Connections

More than 1,200 electric cooperative leaders gathered April 21-24 in Washington, D.C., to urge Congress to oppose the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) power plant rule and support full funding of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs that benefit rural America.

In May 2023, EPA proposed initial draft rules to limit carbon dioxide emissions from coal- and gas-fired power plants. Electric cooperatives oppose the rule, which they say is a threat to electric reliability and affordability.

N.D. homeowners have until March 31 to apply for a new property tax credit up to $500.

The Primary Residence Credit (PRC) was established last year through the legislative process. Homeowners must apply online for the state property tax credit through the office of the state tax commissioner. Approved applicants will receive the credit as a reduction on their 2024 tax statement, which will be mailed in December.

North Dakotans will soon cast votes in the 2024 election cycle. While most legislative districts are the same, a recent court decision will change boundaries for Districts 9 and 15, which may impact voters there.

N.D. Secretary of State Michael Howe reminds interested individuals of important requirements candidates must meet for their names to appear on 2024 ballots. The filing deadline for all candidates is 4 p.m. CT April 8.

If you own a home in North Dakota and use it as your primary residence, you likely qualify for a new $500 property tax credit.

The Primary Residence Credit (PRC) was established last year through the legislative process. Homeowners must apply online for the state property tax credit through the office of the state tax commissioner. Approved applicants will receive the credit as a reduction on their 2024 tax statement, which will be mailed in December 2024.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Utilities Service (RUS) Administrator Andrew Berke held a roundtable discussion with North Dakota electric cooperative leaders Dec. 4, 2023, in Fargo. Key topics included infrastructure, resiliency, reliability and serving rural communities.

Todd Brickhouse has been named the chief executive officer and general manager of Basin Electric Power Cooperative by the board of directors, according to a Dec. 13, 2023, release. Brickhouse has served in the same capacity on an interim basis since July 2023 and previously was the cooperative’s senior vice president and chief financial officer.

The N.D. Game and Fish Department is encouraging anglers to refer to the 2022-24 North Dakota Fishing Guide for winter fishing regulations, available online at https://gf.nd.gov/fishing/regulations-guide/2022-24.

Some winter fishing regulations include:
• A maximum of four poles is legal for ice fishing. When fishing a water body where both open water and ice occur at the same time, however, an angler is allowed a maximum of four poles, of which no more than two poles can be used in open water.

Much of North America is at elevated risk of insufficient energy supplies this winter, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) reports in its 2023-24 Winter Reliability Assessment issued in November. Prolonged, wide-area cold snaps during peak weather conditions threaten the reliable performance of the bulk power system and the availability of fuel supplies for natural-gas-fired generation, the report states.

North Dakota farmers, ranchers and food business owners are encouraged to complete a survey to help state and local agencies better understand the needs of local producers and food systems. The online survey, available at www.farrms.org/nc-rfbc, is open now through Dec. 18.

Basin Electric Power Cooperative has broken ground on the largest single-site electric generation project to be built in North Dakota in 40 years. Named Pioneer Generation Station Phase IV, the project will build about 580 megawatts (MW) of dispatchable natural gas generation near the cooperative’s existing Pioneer Generation Station northwest of Williston.
The project will help support the growing power needs of the Bakken region.