(VIDEO) Ellendale, ND, A Small Town Shaping a Digital Revolution

standndgov on January 29, 2025

Ellendale is a rural community in southeastern North Dakota, home to approximately 1,000 people. With deep roots in agriculture and a straightforward way of life, the town embodies the essence of rural North Dakota, a blend of tradition and resilience set against the vast backdrop of the prairie.

The region has experienced substantial growth in wind energy development, resulting in an abundance of underutilized power. Recognizing this potential, Applied Digital, a leader in designing, building, and operating next generation data centers, built a 100-megawatt facility outside of Ellendale. The facility is an example of how digital innovation can coexist and support the local economy while honoring rural values.

I’m Kayla Ver Helst, sustainability officer at the Bank of North Dakota. This video, part of the STAND docuseries showcases Applied Digital’s data center in Ellendale, North Dakota.

I believe that what’s happening today guarantees that Ellendale is a part of this area and an influence in this part of of southeastern North Dakota, well into the 22nd century. Ellendale still has a small town charm that hasn’t changed. In fact, if anything, I think that’s going to be one of our biggest pluses because as Applied Digital and the plans that they have continue to expand, and now we have people moving into our community from all over the country. We can either embrace those people, make them feel welcome, make them the feel part of the community.

During peak construction, 450 workers boosted the local population, bringing significant activity to the area. In addition to attracting workers and families, Applied Digital generates sales tax and property tax revenue, which can fund additional services and infrastructure improvements. However, these benefits depend on a dedicated workforce as well as support from the local and state government.

As that population grows a little bit, it provides a lot of opportunity for services that otherwise just aren’t here, you know, to come into town. So hopefully five, 10 years out we see another 50, 100, 200 new homes, plus a part including apartments as well as single family homes, and hopefully we see a lot of other business developments and opportunities for folks, you know, to grow here and stay here.

We have an opportunity and we’re grabbing a hold of it to help us grow. And if I can encourage anyone in small town, not just North Dakota, but but small town America, you’re going to have opportunities. It might be technological, it might be in some other area, some other phase. Be prepared that when those things happen, you embrace those and work together with those. Don’t shun away from it. Be an active part, because by helping to cultivate that, by helping to be an active part of that, you are not only going to make your community stronger, you’re going to make that industry or that business strong, and that helps everyone.

North Dakotans were just really extremely hard workers. Every day people would show up, they would come to work, they would put in the hours they would put in the time, and you can’t say that about every community in every state that that we work in.

We’ve continued to invest in North Dakota because we’ve had such a good experience both on the state, you know, government side, the local government side, where they’re very accommodating, willing to work with us.

I don’t think that Applied Digital is the end. I think it’s just the beginning. I think that there are other things that are going to happen because of Applied Digital coming into our community, because of those new people coming into our community that are going to create other newer business opportunities and other new, community opportunities and things of that nature that are going to make our community even stronger and better.

Applied Digital has become a cornerstone of Ellendale’s recent growth, enhancing the town’s sustainability and vitality for generations to come. Visit STAND.nd.gov for more authentic stories of sustainability and transformation from people creating real change in North Dakota’s energy, agriculture, conservation and carbon management efforts.

New Reports Highlight North Dakota’s Tax Policy and Co2-Enhanced Oil Recovery Potential

standndgov on January 28, 2025

BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Dakota Tax Commissioner’s Office and Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) have released reports that forecast the economic potential of CO₂-enhanced oil recovery (CO₂-EOR) in North Dakota. These studies underscore the state’s strategic advantages in leveraging CO₂ utilization to drive sustainable energy production, economic growth and environmental benefits over the next 20 years.

Federal tax policy provides a $25 per ton advantage for permanent carbon storage over utilization. The reports reveal North Dakota’s current tax policies help narrow this gap to less than $10 per ton for CO₂-EOR, highlighting the state’s role as a leader in carbon management and advancement across the oil, lignite and agriculture sectors. However, the report continues to demonstrate the need for the federal government to enact tax parity for CO2-EOR projects to support the development of long-term CO2 markets.

“North Dakota continues to lead with innovative policies that support our industries and drive economic growth while addressing the challenges of a sustainable energy future,” said members of the Industrial Commission in a joint statement. “These reports demonstrate how CO₂-EOR can unlock billions of barrels of untapped oil, reduce emissions and provide billions in revenue – all while maintaining North Dakota’s reputation as a global energy leader.”

Key findings from the reports include:

  • Energy Potential: CO₂-EOR could unlock an additional 5 billion to 8 billion barrels of oil over the next 30–50 years, doubling the Bakken Formation’s production milestones.
  • Economic Impact: Statewide, CO₂-EOR could generate $2.9 billion to $9 billion in incremental revenue primarily from oil and gas production tax collected on incremental barrels produced.
  • Environmental Benefits: CO₂-EOR reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 20% during production, producing low-carbon-intensity oil that meets global market demands.
  • Strategic Positioning: With potential in-state CO₂ sources and tax policies that offset 64.5% of the federal tax credit disparity, North Dakota is well positioned to be a first mover into CO2-EOR from oil shale.

The report underscores the need for long-term CO₂ supply agreements and sustained policy incentives to fully realize the economic and production opportunities presented by CO₂-EOR.

For more information:

ND State Tax Office
Jessie Wald
328.3039
jeswald@nd.gov

UND EERC
Nikki Krueger
777.5428
nkrueger@undeerc.org

STAND
Janel Schmitz
328.5880
janelschmitz@nd.gov

Additional information at the following link:

New Reports Highlight North Dakota’s Tax Policy and Co2-Enhanced Oil Recovery Potential

North Dakota Unveils Phase 1 of Priority Climate Action Plan

standndgov on November 19, 2024

North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) released the first phase of the North Dakota Priority Climate Action Plan (PCAP), the state’s initial roadmap focused on environmental sustainability and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Developed with extensive input from residents, community leadersand major economic sectors, the plan outlines five strategies designed to support North Dakota’s agriculture, energy and natural lands sectors. These efforts, such as expanding the Energy Conservation Grant Program and advancing climate-smart agriculture through financial incentives, aim to drive economic growth, boost energy independence and reduce pollution throughout the state.

The five strategies in the PCAP—ranging from an energy efficiency upgrade initiative in Fargo to a statewide tree-planting program—reflect community-driven priorities identified during 24 public forums and multiple collaborative meetings. The plan will help North Dakota compete for EPA funding which will position the state to implement further environmental initiatives. Additional ideas generated through this process are being evaluated for North Dakota’s Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP), which launched in 2024. NDDEQ aims to build on the momentum and community enthusiasm generated through the PCAP, fostering deeper partnerships with North Dakotans in the journey toward a sustainable future.

Priority Climate Action Plan is available on the DEQ website. https://deq.nd.gov/sustainability/

North Dakota Reveals Blueprint for Sustainable Energy and Agriculture Growth

standndgov on February 27, 2024

Bank of North Dakota has released the report STAND (Sustain. Transform. Authenticate. North Dakota.), showcasing North Dakota’s proactive approach to balancing economic growth in energy and agriculture with sustainability goals. The report emphasizes the state’s reliance on its robust natural resources to meet both domestic and global food and energy demands while addressing challenges posed by global market-driven and political climate focused initiatives.

Commissioned by the 68th Legislative Assembly, the STAND report outlines North Dakota’s unique approach to sustainability. Through strategic public-private partnerships and reinvestment of coal, oil, and gas taxes, North Dakota is driving transformation in energy and agriculture. Instead of relying on regulations, the state is prioritizing innovation and conservation, offering a blueprint for sustainable growth in a world increasingly focused on carbon management.

Read the STAND Report