5 things to know today: Public records, Mask mandate, Well fire, Carbon capture, Pay raise

Law enforcement officers face off against Dakota Access Pipeline protesters on Nov. 20, 2016, at the Backwater Bridge along Highway 1806. Submitted photo from Morton County

By InForum and Eric Bolin

August 03, 2021 at 6:00 AM

1. 5 years on, public records battle brews over DAPL protest enforcement

Documents pertaining to a partnership between operators of the Dakota Access Pipeline and a private security contractor during the Standing Rock protests five years ago are at the center of a public records fight still playing out in North Dakota’s courts today.

The question of who has jurisdiction over roughly 16,000 documents provided to the state by the private security contractor TigerSwan has pit Energy Transfer Partners, the Texas-based parent company to Dakota Access, against the North Dakota Private Investigation and Security Board.

2. Minnesota universities mandate masks, North Dakota officials undecided

082220.N.FF.COVIDSTUDENTS.1.jpg — North Dakota State University students line up to take pictures with the masked bison statue on campus during orientation day on Friday, Aug. 21, in Fargo. Alyssa Goelzer / The Forum

Several universities in Minnesota will begin requiring masks on campus to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, but North Dakota higher education officials haven't yet decided on the issue.

The University of Minnesota announced Monday, Aug. 2, it will require all students, staff and visitors to wear masks indoors at its five campuses starting Tuesday. The Minnesota State public college system said last week face coverings will be required at campuses located in counties with higher levels of COVID-19 transmission, though many of the system's 37 campuses lie in areas with low rates of spread.

3. Western North Dakota oil well fire burns into 12th consecutive day

A fire on a Petro-Hunt well pad bordering Lake Sakakawea burned into its 12th consecutive day on Monday, Aug. 2 Adam Willis / The Forum

An oil well fire bordering Lake Sakakawea in McKenzie County burned into its 12th day on Monday, Aug. 2, with emergency responders continuing to fight intense flames and temperatures in order to get three ruptured wells under control.

Smoke has been visible from miles away since the fire began on Thursday, July 22, and state officials, local emergency responders and the company operating the wells said they have few updates to report on the status of the fire since the end of last week.

4. Burying carbon dioxide deep in North Dakota's geology may combat climate change. Is it financially feasible?

Under the Project Tundra venture, Minnkota Power Cooperative is looking to retrofit Milton Young Station, a central North Dakota coal plant, to capture and store its own carbon emissions. Special to Forum News Service

For some of North Dakota’s legacy industries, like coal power, the future could depend on the capacity of companies to deliver on bold promises around carbon capture. The pricey and so far sparsely used technology has nonetheless elevated the ambitions of North Dakota’s energy sector and would be the cornerstone in Gov. Doug Burgum’s recent target to achieve statewide carbon neutrality by 2030.

An old technology made vogue again in the national effort to curb greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change, carbon capture refers to the process of stripping carbon dioxide molecules off emissions to prevent their warming effect on the earth’s atmosphere.

5. Cass County gives 5.1% cost of living increase, hiring 15 new employees

The Cass County Courthouse in October 2016. — The Cass County Courthouse in Fargo. Forum file photo

Although it's not finalized, the Cass County commissioners on Monday, Aug. 2, approved its preliminary budget for next year calling for 15 new employees and 5.1% cost of living increases for employees, but still aims to keep the tax levy the same as last year.

The $126 million county budget for 2022 will be combined with preliminary spending plans for the city and school district to provide estimated tax statements to property owners by Aug. 31.