Dakota Download Governor Burgum's Weekly Update - July 24, 2022

Burgum, Sanford applaud start of first carbon storage project in ND as huge step forward for energy industry

Red Trail Energy ethanol facility begins carbon sequestration operations near Richardton under ND’s first-in-the-nation primacy for Class VI wells

Gov. Doug Burgum and Lt. Gov. Brent Sanford applauded the start of carbon storage operations at the Red Trail Energy LLC ethanol facility near Richardton, made possible by North Dakota being the first state in the nation to obtain regulatory authority from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency over Class VI underground storage wells in 2018.

“By capturing and storing the carbon from ethanol production, Red Trail Energy is helping to pave the way for the long-term viability of current energy sources in North Dakota with innovation and environmental stewardship,” Burgum said. “This project and similar carbon capture, utilization and storage projects currently in the works will allow CO2 to be safely stored deep underground for generations to come and extracted if needed as current and future uses of carbon are developed. North Dakota continues to lead with innovation, not regulation, and advancements such as this will help us enhance national security and reduce reliance on foreign energy sources, protect the environment and bring down energy prices for consumers.”

“We’re grateful to Red Trail Energy for this trailblazing achievement and to the North Dakota Industrial Commission and its staff for their work on achieving primacy and approving the permits for this milestone project,” Sanford said, adding North Dakota’s congressional delegation, and specifically Sen. John Hoeven during his time as governor, also played a key role in the state being the first to obtain primacy over Class VI wells.

The Industrial Commission, chaired by Burgum, granted approval last October for Red Trail Energy to commercially capture 180,000 metric tons of CO2 per year from its corn-based ethanol facility and inject it into the Brook Creek Formation on property owned by Red Trail Energy. Burgum and Sanford also expressed their gratitude for the Energy and Environmental Research Center’s integral work to determine North Dakota’s carbon storage potential and feasibility.

Burgum announces expansion of Cisco Networking Academy to offer skills training to all North Dakotans

Gov. Burgum on Tuesday announced an expanded partnership with the Cisco Networking Academy skills-to-job program called Skills for All that will be available to all residents in North Dakota.

North Dakota is the first state in the nation to provide these courses statewide at no cost to all residents. The Cisco Networking Academy Skills for All program provides free, quality, mobile, self-paced, online learning aligned to industry jobs, providing a pathway to a career in technology. There are numerous courses, badging and industry certifications available, with an emphasis on cybersecurity, along with coding, networking essentials, Internet of Things (IoT) and other technology-focused courses.

“This statewide program will greatly benefit the people of North Dakota by providing opportunities to acquire best-in-class skills in highly sought after, in-demand and growing professions,” Burgum said. “Skills for All provides North Dakota residents from all backgrounds and experiences the opportunity to obtain 21st century skills and help our state build a strong and competitive workforce.”

“With today’s announcement expanding Cisco Networking Academy coursework to all of North Dakota’s nearly 800,000 residents, Gov. Burgum and his administration are helping bridge the digital skills gap and helping Cisco deliver on our mission to power a more inclusive future for all,” said Francine Katsoudas, Executive Vice President and Chief People, Policy & Purpose Officer at Cisco. “As a result of this announcement, North Dakota will be an even better place to study, invest in a career, and build a business. IT skills are in high demand today and even more so in the future, and North Dakota will be well positioned to provide that workforce for years to come.”

For a list of courses and more information, go to: https://www.edutech.nodak.edu/ndcitizenskillsforall/

North Dakota’s expansion of Cisco Networking Academy Skills for All is part of an overarching statewide initiative, dubbed PK-20W, to reflect the education continuum of pre-kindergarten through Ph.D. programs and the workforce, with a vision of “Every Student. Every School. Cyber Educated.”

EduTech, a division of North Dakota's Information Technology Department devoted to PK-12 educational technology and citizen outreach through the PK-20W Initiative, already offers Cisco Networking Academy courses free of charge, including to tribal nations. The Skills for All program expands the number of courses offered from seven to almost 25, and new course modules are continually being added.

“In the 21st century, nearly every job in every industry is a computer job. Providing free technology courses to citizens of North Dakota will allow for exciting opportunities for adults to expand their credentials in high-demand jobs from any industry,” North Dakota Chief Information Officer Shawn Riley said. “This helps our state lead nationally with an educated and skilled workforce with a massive competitive edge.”

The expanded statewide program was announced today at the White House Cyber Workforce and Education Summit in Washington, where North Dakota University System Chancellor Mark Hagerott shared the announcement.

“The Cisco-North Dakota initiative is historic, the first of its kind in the country. With this Cisco program, more North Dakotans gain access to training and knowledge that will help them prosper and more fully participate in our digitizing economy and society,” Hagerott said.

International Peace Garden to celebrate 90th anniversary with weekend of events

The weekend of July 29-31 will bring people of the United States and Canada together to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the International Peace Garden (IPG) with music, artists, food and fireworks.

Events throughout the weekend include:

FRIDAY, JULY 29

• 1:00 pm Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Flag Ceremony
• 6:00 pm – Taste of 1932 Dinner (Tickets available at the link)
• 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm International Music Camp concert

SATURDAY, JULY 30

• 10:00 am – 4:00 pm – ND and MB Vendors
• 11:00 am – Children’s Nature Play Area Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting
• Noon – 3:30 pm – Arts and Crafts
• 1:00 pm – Fallen Officers Memorial at Game Warden Museum
• Noon – 8:00 pm – Birthday Party
• 2:00 pm and 7:00pm – Brian Glow: International Illusionist and Comedy Magician
• 3:00 pm and 5:30 pm – Live Music
• Throughout the Day: Live music from a variety of acts, food trucks and cafe specials, traditional Indigenous and Métis Presentations, Manitoba Living History Society village and settler demonstrations, historical exhibits about the Garden’s history throughout the grounds, and lawn games
• 8:30 pm – 11:00 pm – Live Music leading into the fireworks

SUNDAY, JULY 31

• Throughout the Day: Live music from a variety of acts, traditional Indigenous and Métis Presentations, Manitoba Living History Society and settler demonstrations, historical exhibits
• Noon – 3:30 pm – Arts and Crafts
• Noon – 8:00 pm – Birthday Party
• 2:00 pm and 5:00pm – Brian Glow: International Illusionist and Comedy Magician
• 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm – Live Music
• 7:00 – 9:30 pm – Scavenger Hunt/Amazing Race
• 10:00 pm – Outdoor Movie: Ghostbusters: Afterlife

On August 30, 2021, Manitoba announced a contribution of $7.5 million as the provincial share of a jointly funded effort with the State of North Dakota. The Manitoba funding fulfilled a one-to-one match required by the North Dakota Legislature in 2019 when it approved a $3-million Bank of North Dakota loan, in addition to $2 million in one-time funds, for capital projects at the IPG. In total, the State of North Dakota has provided over $14 million for IPG operations, maintenance and improvements since 2013.