North Dakota’s approach to transform sustainability


Over half of North Dakota’s economy prospers from its robust energy and agriculture sectors, which serve as the foundation for sustaining and improving livelihoods.


The 2023 Legislative Assembly directed Bank of North Dakota, the sole state-owned bank in the United States to lead a comprehensive ESG study. North Dakota’s common-sense approach to sustainability reflects a blend of political ideology, economic targets, conservation priorities and concerns about regulatory overreach. Throughout this initiative, there was a clear understanding that North Dakota was not stepping back from its commitment to energy and agriculture. Instead, it is charting a course by outlining a blueprint that demonstrates how transformation and innovation can thrive in a world focused on carbon management.

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Steering Committee

The Steering Committee included representatives from government agencies, the private sector and various associations, with two co-leads and a designated project lead. Throughout the study, the committee convened to deliberate and contribute to the research endeavors.

Lt. Governor Tammy Miller

Tammy Miller

Lt. Governor Tammy Miller

Dale Patten

Senator

Anna S. Novak

Representative

Alisa Mitskog

Representative

Co-Chair Kelvin Hullet

Sr. VP Business Development
Bank of North Dakota

Co-Chair Charlie Gorecki

CEO, Energy & Environmental Research Center

Project Lead Kayla Ver Helst

Bank of North Dakota

Doug Goehring

Commissioner, North Dakota Department of Agriculture

John Godfread

Commissioner, North Dakota Insurance Department

Randy Christmann

Commissioner, North Dakota Public Service Commission

Thomas Beadle

Treasurer, North Dakota State Treasurer

Claire Vigesaa

Executive Director, North Dakota Transmission Authority

Dave Glatt

Director, North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality

Jan Murtha

Executive Director, North Dakota Retirement and Investment

Lynn Helms

Former Director, North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources

Reice Haase

Deputy Director, North Dakota Industrial Commission

Tom Oakland

Energy Research & Development Manager, North Dakota Department of Commerce

Ashley Zickefoose

Director of Environmental, Safety & Health, ONEOK

Blu Hulsey

Sr. VP of Environmental, Safety & Health, Gov. & Reg. Affairs, Continental Resources

Chris Kunkle

, Director of state Affairs, Apex Clean Energy

Kathy Neset

President, NESET Consulting

photo of nick martin

Nick Martin

Director of Strategy & Advocacy, Xcel Energy

Stephanie Sievert

VP & Chief Accounting Officer, MDU Resources Group

Chris Johnson

Sr. VP & CFO, Basin Electric Power Cooperative